Minority opposes electronic transaction levy
The Minority Caucus in Parliament is opposed to the newly announced electronic transaction levy by government in the 2022 budget statement.
Member of Parliament for Ajumako-Enyan Esiam, Cassiel Ato Forson, speaking to the media after the presentation of the 2022 budget, assured Ghanaians that the Minority caucus will reject any tax introduced to worsen the hardships faced by Ghanaians.
“We are hearing that they are going to introduce electronic transaction levy which is going to affect mobile money transaction and bank transfers as well as remittances…We think this is not acceptable and we will advise ourselves when the time comes.
“Again, we are seeing that they are going to introduce a special tax on mobile money, we have served notice through our Minority Leader that the Minority caucus of Ghana’s Parliament will stand by the ordinary Ghanaian in opposing the mobile money tax,” he stated.
Adding the Minority Caucus will not accept any additional increment in fees and charges.
“Let me also say that we have seen a 15% increase in all government fees and charges and we think that it is a bit too much and that the government may need to think about it. These new tax measures will bring great suffering to Ghanaians who have already been choked with taxes.
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The electronic transaction levy will not only worsen the hardships but will significantly compromise inward remittance which is relied upon heavily by many Ghanaians. We wish to vigorously assure the people of Ghana that we will oppose the killer taxes and we will ensure that any one of them that will affect the lifestyle of Ghanaians will be rejected,” Dr Forson remarked.
Delivering the 2022 budget on the floor of Parliament, the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta hinted at government’s plan to introduce an Electronic Transaction Levy or E-Levy to increase tax revenues for the country.
According to the Minister, “the government will charge an applicable rate of 1.75% on all electronic transactions covering mobile money payments, bank transfers, merchant payments, and inward remittances, which shall be borne by the sender except inward remittances, which will be borne by the recipient”.
