The Ministry of Finance has delivered a rundown of inquiries that are probably going to be posed by individuals from the overall population in regard of the Electronic Transactions Levy (e-Levy) and gave replies to them.
This follows the section of the E-demand Bill on Tuesday by a Majority-sided House after individuals from the Minority left during the thought stage.
It, consequently, creates the impression that everything is set for the execution of the expense strategy even as President Akufo-Addo is yet to consent to the Bill.
As indicated by the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, his outfit has had conversations with the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) towards a smooth execution of the approach.
Talking in a meeting with columnists in Parliament on Wednesday uninvolved of the 2022 State of the Nation Address (SONA), Mr. Ofori-Atta said the CAGD and GRA “have demonstrated to us that, right toward the start of May, they ought to have the option to get their frameworks together.”
In the record made accessible on Social media consequently, the Ministry gave replies to appropriate inquiries, for example, What is the E-demand?, What is the pace of the toll?, Why has government chosen to exact electronic exchanges? What will the income produced by the E-Levy be utilized for? what’s more, how might the duty be applied? among others.
If it’s not too much trouble, read full report underneath:
FAQs on E-LEVY
1 What is the E–Levy?
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What will the revenue generated by the E–Levy be used for?
The E-levy is a tax imposed on electronic transfers charged at the time of transfer. The levy shall be administered by the GRA and collected through licensed Banks, Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions, Payment Service Providers (PSPs), and Electronic Money Issuers (EMI).
The proceeds shall be used to tackle:
the seemingly intractable and hydra headed challenges of high youth unemployment;
inadequate and poor physical and digital infrastructure, including, in particular, roads;
2 What is the rate of the levy?
rising public debt; and the
The levy is 1.50% of the value of the electronic transfer.
diminishing entrepreneurship culture of Ghanaians.
3 Why has Government decided to levy electronic transfers?
5 How will the levy be applied?
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To expand the tax base
To increase domestic tax mobilisation due to Ghana’s low
tax–per–GDP ratio compared to its peers and other developing nations. (South Africa- 26.7%, Senegal-16.4%, SSA average 16.5%, Ghana-12.2% in 2019). Currently, Ghana’s Tax-to-GDP for 2021 is 13.4%.
The levy will be applied on the value (amount) of transfer above GHS 100 on a daily basis. That is, after one hundred Ghana Cedis (GHS 100) a day cumulative transfer, the e-levy will be applied. In other words, if the total amount sent in a day is not more than GHS 100, you will not pay E-levy.
For example, if Kofi sends GHS 50 to his sister in the morning and sends another GHS 50 (GHS 100 in total) to his brother in the afternoon, he will not pay the E–levy.
To provide an opportunity for every Ghanaian to contribute towards nation building
To reduce dependence on debt and borrowing
However, if Kofi makes any other transfer in the day after the money sent to his brother, the transfer amount will attract the E-levy (i.e. 1.50% of any amount above the first GHS100).
Who is responsible for charging the E–Levy and how will it be charged?
What transactions fall under the E–Levy?
The levy will be charged whenever a person makes a transfer. The charging entity will add the levy to the transfer amount and charge both to the person’s wallet or account. The entity will then pay the levy collected to Government.
Any transfer to or from a mobile money account or from a bank account of a person will be subject to the tax. These include:
Transfers done on the same mobile money network – For example sending money from your MTN Momo wallet to another person’s MTN Momowallet.
The entities responsible for charging the
The mobile money operators (MTN Momo, Vodacash, AirtelTigo Money, Zeepay and G Money
Transfers from one mobile money network to a recipient on another network – For example, sending money from your MTN Momo wallet to another person’s TIGO Cash wallet.
Payment Service Providers such as E-Tranzact, GHANA.GOV, Korba, etc.
All banks
Transfers from bank accounts to mobile money accounts: For example, Kofi transfers money from his CBG bank account to Ama’s MTN mobile money wallet.
Specialised Deposit taking institutions such as rural and community banks, savings and loan companies, finance houses etc.
Transfers from mobile money accounts to bank accounts: For example, Esi transfers money from her Vodafone Cash money wallet to Yaw’s GCB bankaccount.
The Minister also has the power to add to the list through Regulations
7 Who will be collecting the
E–Levy?
Bank transfers on a digital platform or application which originate from a bank account belonging to an individual: For example, Kwame transferring money from his NIB Bank account to Akua’s Prudential Bank account.
Government, through the Ghana Revenue Authority will set up a platform to collect the E-Levy in collaboration with licensed Electronic Money Issuers (EMIS), licensed Payment Service Providers (PSPs), licensed Banks, specialized deposit–taking institutions, and any other entity designated by the Minister
9 What transactions are NOT
covered by the E–levy?
The following transfers are excluded from the levy:
bank application, Fintech etc.) to a person registered with the Ghana Revenue Authority for the purposes of income tax or value added tax is excluded. This applies to both online and physical sales.
Cumulative transfers of GHS 100 per day made by the same person: Everyone has a daily tax–free threshold (Limit) GHS 100 – that is every person will be able to send up to GHS100 a day without the payment of the levy;
Transfers between principal, agent, and master–agent accounts: To avoid charging the levy multiple times transfers that pass through multiple service providers before they get to the actual recipient do not attract the levy.
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Transfer between accounts owned by the same person: if you are sending money to your own account (i.e., of the same person) then you will not be charged the E Levy. A transfer from Kojo’s Tigo wallet to his MTN wallet or from his CBG bank account to his GCB bank account or from his savings account to his current or investment account, will not attract the levy.
Are utility and airtime payments subject to the E-levy?
Yes. Once the payment is made from a mobile money account, bank account, or through a merchant payment platform; and exceeds the GHS 100 daily threshold the levy is payable.
Transfers for the payment of taxes, fees, and charges: Any payment of taxes fees or charges made to an MDA or MMDA using the Ghana.gov platform or other designated method, do not attract the levy.
11 Will the levy be charged on
payments of wages and salaries using mobile money?
If the company is registered with GRA for income tax or VAT and salary payment is made from a corporate bank account, there will be no e-levy charge on the amount.
Electronic Clearing of Cheques: Clearing of cheques by the banks and specialized deposit taking institutions such as the savings and loans companies etc. are excluded.
12 Will there be a threshold above
which E–levy charges will not
apply?
Specified merchant payments: Payments made to commercial establishments through a payment service (mobile money,
No, there is no threshold; the E–levy applies to all transfer amounts.
13 Will ATM withdrawals attract
E–levy?
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We are encouraged to pay our taxes through ghana.gov. Will tax payment made through ghana.gov attract E–Levy?
NO, ATM withdrawals are excluded from the E–levy.
14 Will Mobile Money Qwikloan
attract E–Levy?
No, any payment of taxes, fees or charges made to an MDA or MMDA using the Ghana.gov platform or other designated system is excluded from E-Levy.
Loan repayments will not attract the Levy if the recipient is registered with the GRA for Income tax or VAT. Otherwise, the sender will pay the E Levy.
17 When will the E-levy come
into effect?
The E-Levy will come into effect after approval by Parliament.
15. Will there be a separate bank
account to collect the E-levy?
18 If I encounter some trouble,
who can I call?
By law, all revenue collected by the GRA, including the E-Levy, shall be paid into the Consolidated Fund.
A 24-hour service centre will be set up to help individuals who may need further clarification or who might be experiencing any challenges. The call lines will be announced shortly.
REPUBLIC OF GHANA MINISTRY OF FINANCE
Professional, Ethical, Efficient, Responsive – Transforming Ghana Beyond Aid Finance Drive, Ministries-Accra Digital Address: GA – 144-2024 MB40, Accra – Ghana B +233 302-747-197 info@mofep.gov.gh mofep.gov.gh @MOF_Ghana f @miniştryoffinanceghana