1.75% e-levy missing from next week’s business order before Parliament
It has emerged that the controversial 1.75% proposed tax fizzled out of the next week’s business paper before parliament, forcing Minority caucus to question the absence of Electronic Transactions Levy Bill from the business statement for next week.
Deputy Majority leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin in presenting the business statement mentioned the appropriation bill will be presented next week.
The Effutu MP was however silent on the E-Levy bill which caught the attention of both Banda MP and Deputy Minority Whip Ibrahim Ahmed and Deputy Minority Leader Dr. James Klutse Avedzi.
The Banda MP warned the House rises next week Friday, therefore it would not entertain any last-minute presentation of the bill ostensibly to prevent the House from adequate scrutiny.
Deputy Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin however explained the Finance Minister is still undertaking consultations and that he will lay the bill before the House as soon as practicable.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta says government will take measures to block attempts by individuals to evade the E-levy proposed in the 2022 budget.
According to him, E-levy is currently the best option to draw in more people into the tax bracket.
“On the matter of the E-levy, having regard to its serious fiscal implications, we will continue our consultations with the Minority Caucus in Parliament and other relevant stakeholders, with a view to achieving consensus and reverting to the House in the shortest possible time.
“We are determined to enhance domestic revenue mobilisation, the presence of our proposal on the E-Levy is to widen the tax net and generate the required revenue to support entrepreneurship, youth employment to build our infrastructure especially roads and reduce our debts,” he said.
“Let me emphasise that the E-levy represents our greatest opportunity to in the medium-term widen the tax base and meet the tax to GDP ratio of 20% as pertains among our peers”, he noted.
Source: africaneditors.com
