The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has officially directed all charging entities to stop applying the 1% Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) following its abolition.
The directive comes after the President of Ghana assented to the Electronic Transfer Levy Act, 2022 (Act 1075) and its Amendment (Act 1089), effectively scrapping the controversial tax from April 2, 2025.
In a formal notice to financial institutions and payment platforms, the GRA outlined key steps to ensure a smooth transition.
It stated that all transactions processed from midnight onwards must reflect a “no charge” status, and charging entities must immediately stop deducting the 1% E-Levy. Additionally, any deductions made after April 2, 2025, must be refunded to customers without delay. Entities are also required to submit detailed reports on these refunds to the GRA.
Furthermore, businesses must still report all past transactions involving the E-Levy to the GRA for reconciliation purposes. Financial institutions are also required to maintain electronic transfer records for at least six years to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
The GRA has warned that failure to adhere to these directives will result in penalties, as enforcement measures will be carried out through regular compliance checks.
The E-Levy, first introduced in 2022, faced significant backlash from the public, with critics arguing it discouraged digital transactions and financial inclusion. Its abolition is expected to boost mobile money usage, reduce transaction costs, and promote a cashless economy.
With businesses now required to adjust their systems, the focus will be on ensuring full compliance and refund processing for affected customers.
The GRA has encouraged businesses and consumers to reach out for support through its official E-Levy Technical Support Team.
The scrapping of the E-Levy marks a major relief for mobile money and digital transaction.
