Assistant Commissioner in charge of Strategy, Research, Policy, and Programmes at the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Charles Addae, has emphasized the significance of the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) in bringing the informal sector into the tax net.

Addae explained that relying solely on the formal sector for revenue generation is insufficient, prompting the introduction of the E-Levy to ensure broader participation in tax payment, especially from individuals in the informal sector.

During an interview at the Taxing Mobile Money, Lessons, and Ways Forward Conference held in Accra on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, Addae disclosed that the government had successfully collected GH¢1.2 billion from the E-Levy, indicating the effectiveness of the tax.

"Ghana introduced E-Levy in 2022, and we’ve had challenges implementing this tax. However, in 2022, we collected an amount of 600 million, and in 2023, we raised GH¢1.2 billion from the E-Levy," stated Addae.

He emphasized the need to explore new avenues to enhance tax revenue without overburdening existing taxpayers, highlighting the importance of tapping into the informal sector to bolster revenue collection.

"The formal system has depended on existing businesses and employees in raising national revenue. There is a need to go into the informal sector to raise revenue to support the country," he added.

The Taxing Mobile Money conference, organized by the International Centre for Tax and Development in collaboration with the Ghana Revenue Authority, provided a platform to discuss strategies for improving domestic revenue mobilization.

The introduction of the E-Levy forms part of the government's efforts to enhance domestic revenue mobilization. Following public criticism, the E-Levy tax was revised downward from 1.5% to 1%, demonstrating responsiveness to stakeholder concerns.