15% VAT on electricity consumption: ECG will abuse whatever is collected – ACEP Boss

12-01-2024

15% VAT on electricity consumption: ECG will abuse whatever is collected – ACEP Boss

The Executive Director of Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), Benjamin Boakye, has expressed fears that the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) will ‘discretionary abuse’ whatever is collected following the implementation of the 15 % Value Added Tax (VAT) on electricity consumption.

The Ministry of Finance has announced that the implementation of the 15% VAT for residential customers of electricity above the maximum consumption level specified for block charges for lifeline units in line with Section 35 and 37 and the First Schedule (9) of Value Added Tax (VAT) Act, 2013 (ACT 870) has commenced.

It started effective 1″ January 2024.

This forms part of the implementation of the Government’s Medium-Term Revenue Strategy and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Supported Post Covid-19 Programme for Economic Growth (PC-PEG), the Ministry said.

For the avoidance of doubt, a statement issued by the Ministry said, VAT is still exempt for “a supply to a dwelling of electricity up to a maximum consumption level specified for block charges for lifeline units” in line with Section 35 and 37 and the First Schedule (9) of Act 870.

“The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCO) are, hereby, requested to liaise with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to ensure that the implementation of VAT for residential customers of electricity above the maximum consumption level specified for block c “

By a copy of this letter GRA is requested to ensure that it liaises with ECG and NEDCO for the transfer of the revenues collected from the implementation of VAT on the subject matter as part of its domestic VAT collections,” it added.harges for lifeline units takes effect on 1 January 2024, in line with Sectio35 and 37 and the First Schedule (9) of Act 870,” it said.

Commenting on this on his X platform, Mr Benjamin Boakye said “Your haircut will not be the same in 2024. Meanwhile, only a few honest ones Will pay their bill, and ECG will discretionary abuse whatever is collected.”

 

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