Skyline Co Ltd has been “heavily penalised” by the Ministry of Customs and Revenue for allegedly issuing fake receipts which a Samoa Observer investigation last month uncovered and reported.

The Ministry released a statement late Thursday to advise that it has penalised the firm which manufactures alcoholic beverages such as Olioli, after it investigated allegations of fake receipts issued by the company to some clients.

“This is also to advise the public that we have investigated the issue of ‘fake’ receipts being issued by the company to some of its clients/retailers and have accordingly confirmed the practice to have been done,” the Ministry’s media release states. “Due to confidential provisions of the Tax and Customs legislations, the Commissioner/Controller is not at liberty to disclose any specific tax information to the public.”

Some members of the business community took it upon themselves to report the firm’s dodgy accounting practices after reading an article published by the Samoa Observer last month.

The Ministry thanked all those businesses that reported the matter to them.

“This is also to convey our heartfelt appreciation to all those businesses who had reported this illegal practice which prompted our investigation on this company.”

And then assured the business community that it will ensure compliance of Samoa’s tax and customs legislation to ensure the system is transparent and accountable.

“Please rest assured that M.C.R. is committed to administer the requirements of our Tax and Customs legislations, which mandated our functions to impose and collect tax and duty revenues from our customers, in an equitable, correct, transparent and accountable system that encourages voluntary compliance from all our stakeholders/customers.”

On Thursday, the Samoa Observer reported more businesses stepping forward with their copies of handwritten receipts, allegedly handed out by Skyline Co Ltd. These businesses were located at Aleipata Itupa-i-lalo as well as Siumu.