The E-Levy bill has finally been passed by Ghana’s Parliament after months of disagreement between the two sides in the Parliament house (NPP & NDC).

The Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy), has for some time now become the hottest issue now in Ghana since the ruling government proposed it, and it has generated hew and cry across the country with many not happy with Government’s decision to tax transactions.

The controversial Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy) was passed on Tuesday Afternoon, March 29th 2022, even without the presence of the minority in Parliament.

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The Minority in Parliament (The NDC) who are still firmly standing with their previous decision of thinking about the well Being of Ghanaian Citizens by saying no to the introduction of the new tax walked out of the Parliament house as the discussion started on Tuesday afternoon, but even with their absence, the Mijority in Parliament (The NPP) made it count as they passed it.

According to the NDC MP’s the introduction of the tax will bring serious hardships to Ghanaians. They walked out of the house because they didn’t want to have anything to do with the levy which they were trying hard to prevent from getting passed.

Without the Minority side, the bill was finally passed after the Consideration Stage was completed under a certificate of urgency.

Instead of initial 1.75%, an the majority made a quick amendment and reduced it to 1.5% this means individuals are about to be charged 1.5% tax on every mobile money transaction they carry out.

The bill has been passed, awaiting the president’s assent.

“Honourable members, the Electronic Transfer Levy Bill 2021 duly read the third time and passed,” the Speaker said.

The Parliament has however been adjourned to Wednesday, March 30, 2022.

Below are the list of transactions that will be affected and one the ones that will not be affected by the new E-Levy.

Transactions E-Levy will Affect

Mobile money transfers between accounts on the same electronic money issuer (EMI)
Mobile money transfers from an account on one EMI to a recipient on another EMI
Transfers from bank accounts to mobile money accounts
Transfer from mobile money accounts to bank accounts
Bank transfers on a digital platform or application which originate from a bank account belonging to an individual to another individual

Transactions E-Levy will NOT cover

Cumulative transfers of GHC100 per day made by the same person
Transfers between accounts owned by the same person
Transfers for the payment of taxes, fees and charges on the Ghana.gov platform
Electronic clearing of cheques
Specified merchant payments (that is, payments to commercial establishments registered with the GRA for income tax and VAT purposes)
Transfers between principal, master agent and agent’s accounts