By Raphiatu Musah
Some Ghanaians have welcomed the reduction of the E-levy from 1.5 percent to 1 percent, saying it is likely to bring in more people and widen the tax net.
Speaking to GBCGhanaonline, following the implementation of the revised Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) rate of 1%, which took effect on January 11, 2023, others called for the complete scrapping of the levy as it remains a nuisance tax.
The people’s views:
“The fact is it should be abolished, because when it was first implemented, I desisted from sending money to people straight from my phone unless I withdraw it first then send it through the vendors. There is hardship in the country, and E-levy is also imposed on us. This is very disturbing, whether it has been reduced or not, and I personally think it should be abolished.”
“For me, if it is reduced to 1%, it is not anything, it should go off from our books, me that is how I think about it. Because they have not reduced the threshold. You still pay a certain amount of what you are transacting, so if it will be taken away from the system, I think that will help.”
“We all want to be improved, and we understand everything is based on money that Ghana has. So, to me I think E-levy, we have to pay. E-levy is supposed to be paid because we can’t improve without money. If they are reducing, fine, it’s cool, so that people can pay. Maybe it is too high for some people. So, if they are reducing, I reducing I think is good”.
“E-levy is a form of tax. They actually develop our country, right? So, if they have seen the need that maybe the percentage is higher and therefore, they are trying to reduce it, I think that is in order.”
“I personally feel we Ghanaians have to do away with it. Is not necessary they have to cancel it.”
Government revised the E-levy from 1.5% to 1% in the 2023 budget, which was approved in December last year.
