The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has provided some guidelines on how charging entities can process the reversal of funds or refunds between May 1, 2022, and June 30, 2022, under the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) which commenced Sunday, May 1, 2022, under a phased approach.
The guideline is to assist the entities on how to handle the refunds until the end of the period when the Modified Phased Approach of the implementation would have been completed and all the stakeholders would be using a common platform.
Under this phased approach, it has been decided that all “on-net” and “off-net” transfers including transfers to “own accounts” shall be subject to the e-levy. This is because of a lack of visibility across all networks due to the phased approach, a letter dated April 29, 2022, signed by the Commissioner-General of GRA, Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah and addressed to all charging entities stated.
However, Charging Entities are to exempt “on-net” transfers between accounts owned by the same person where the identity of the person can be determined.
Where a transferor can provide proof (Ghanacard or other National Identification Card including Passport, DVLA. etc) to the satisfaction of the Charging Entity that indeed the receiving account is his/her own account, the charging entity shall use their internal processes to process the reversal/refund, it said.
It said the Charging entities are to submit to the GRA (in addition to the prescribed tax form) a list of all claims made in respect of refunds.
Fraudulent claims
The GRA, has, however, warned that, in collaboration with the Charging Entity, it will use any other evidence available to it to prosecute a claimant who makes a claim fraudulently.
Below is a copy of what the GRA sent to the entities;
Guidelines for Processing Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) Reversals/Refunds by Charging Entities
The Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) will commence in a phased approach from May 1, 2022.
Under this phased approach it has been decided that all “on- net” and “off-net” transfers including transfers to “own accounts” shall be subject to the e-levy. This is because of lack of visibility across all networks due to the phased approach.
However, Charging Entities are to exempt “on-net” transfers between accounts owned by the same person where the identity of the person can be determined.
Where a transferor can provide proof (Ghanacard or other National Identification Card including Passport, DVLA. etc) to the satisfaction of the Charging Entity that indeed the receiving account is his/her own account, the charging entity shall use their internal processes to process the reversal/refund.
The Charging entity shall submit to the GRA (in addition to the prescribed tax form) a list of all claims made in respect of the above.
The Ghana Revenue Authorities may, in collaboration with the Charging Entity, use any other evidence available to it to prosecute a claimant who makes a claim fraudulently.
This reversal/refund arrangement is only valid for this Modified Phased Approach,
from May 1, 2022, to June 30, 2022.
