The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana says government must do well to remove the one percent Covid 19 Health Recovery Levy in the  2023 budget statement following an assurance by  Majority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu that the budget will be read before November 30

The 2021 budget proposed one percent (1%) Covid-19 Health Recovery Levy against the backdrop of spending emanating from the Covid-19 Pandemic.

The Covid-19 Health Recovery Levy is a stand-alone levy applied to the gross value of taxable supplies of goods and services provided under the Standard Rate and VAT Flat Rate Schemes.

In an interview with Citi Business News, General Secretary of the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana, Samson Asaki Awingobit said the government must do all it can to cushion the business community in its budget preparation.

“If the government will not do much to cushion businesses, it should not be seen taxing businesses any further… We want the government to tell us how long the 1% Covid-19 levy we are paying is supposed to run. We expected it to go off by now because we know Covid is no more an issue with us”.

Mr Awingobit also said the association wants “the government to reduce the VAT amendment act rate for us because we are paying so much at the port” which he says is not helping to make Ghana’s ports competitive.

Source:citinewsroom