The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has officially announced the abolition of the 1% Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy), following the President’s assent to the Electronic Transfer Levy Act, 2022 (Act 1075) and its Amendment Act, 2022 (Act 1089).
In a formal notice issued today to all charging entities, the GRA confirmed that the levy has been scrapped effective April 2, 2025. This move marks a significant shift in Ghana’s digital financial landscape, eliminating the charge that had been applied to electronic transactions since its introduction.
The GRA has outlined key implementation guidelines for financial institutions and mobile money operators, including:
- No More Charges: The Electronic Transfer Levy Management and Assurance System (ELMAS) will automatically ensure that no charges are applied to electronic transactions from midnight.
- Cessation of E-Levy Charges: Charging entities must immediately stop applying the 1% E-Levy across all platforms.
- Refunds to Customers: Any deductions made on April 2, 2025, must be refunded to customers without delay, with institutions required to maintain proper records of all processed refunds and report them to the GRA.
- Final Settlement of Outstanding Levies: Entities must ensure all previously collected levies before April 2 are properly accounted for and paid to the GRA.
The scrapping of the E-Levy comes after years of public debate and concerns over its impact on digital transactions and financial inclusion. Initially introduced to increase domestic revenue, the tax faced significant opposition from businesses and individuals who viewed it as a barrier to cashless transactions.
