{
  "id": 14715888,
  "title": "CUTS Int’l backs GRA’s 20% digital services tax collection, calls for relief for students abroad",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/cuts-intl-backs-gras-20-digital-services-tax-collection-calls-for",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-15T14:31:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Starr FM",
    "slug": "starr-fm",
    "url": "https://starrfm.com.gh/cuts-gra-digital-services-tax-student-relief/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "CUTS International has welcomed the implementation of real-time tax collection on taxable cross-border digital services, describing the move as a necessary step to protect Ghana’s revenue base and ensure fair competition. According to MyJoyOnline Ghana and Joy Business, the combined charge often described as a 20% VAT consists of 15% VAT, a 2.5% National Health Insurance Levy, and a 2.5% Ghana Education Trust Fund Levy. These reports note that real-time collection through participating payment providers improves the enforcement of existing tax obligations rather than introducing a new tax.\n\nThe think tank also commended the Ghana Revenue Authority for its dispute resolution arrangements regarding wrongful deductions. However, CUTS International is urging the government to review the treatment of tuition for recognized foreign distance learning programmes to provide relief for students.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Joy Business",
        "title": "CUTS welcomes VAT collection on cross-border digital services, urges fair treatment of Distance Learning students on overseas programmes",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/cuts-welcomes-vat-collection-on-cross-border-digital-services-urges",
        "published": "2026-10-15T13:30:13.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}