20% digital tax is not E-Levy – GRA boss

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has clarified that the 20% digital tax collection is not a reintroduction of the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy), emphasizing that it is not introducing any new tax. Commissioner-General Anthony Kwasi Sarpong addressed Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, explaining that the data received reflects payments made by Ghanaians to support infrastructure development and social services.

He assured Ghanaians and citizens that this initiative is distinct from the E-Levy, noting that no tax has been passed by Parliament that resembles it. The GRA's primary focus is on enhancing revenue collection and ensuring that the government receives its rightful revenue, rather than re-implementing the E-Levy. Sarpong highlighted that the authority is actively working to improve collection processes and ensure timely remittance of revenue to the government.

This clarification comes in response to reports suggesting that commercial banks plan to apply a 20% Value Added Tax (VAT) to cross-border digital services and e-commerce transactions involving Ghana-issued cards.