According to the Finance Minister, the administration intends to eliminate a number of taxes, such as the COVID-19 Levy, the Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy), and the 10% betting tax on lottery winnings.
On Wednesday, March 13, these bills are anticipated to be presented to Parliament, according to Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.
“Tomorrow morning, I will be going to Parliament to submit the bills, and I expect Parliament to take them through a certificate of urgency,” Dr. Forson stated on JoyNews PM Express on Tuesday, March 11.
Dr. Forson’s remark during the March 11 presentation of the government’s first budget statement prompted the decision to eliminate these levies.
The administration has suggested doing away with the Emissions Tax and other charges, as well as the E-Levy and betting tax.
On the basis of this, he said he was certain that the repeals would happen quickly because they were straightforward.
“Repealing the taxes will be one clause each. Repealing the betting tax is very easy, the e-levy and all of those things we are repealing are quite easy,” he added.
Because of their nature, the legislation can be tabled under a certificate of urgency, which guarantees a quick process, according to the finance minister.
“This is a revenue bill, and you can lay finance bills under a certificate of urgency under the Constitution,” he clarified.
When the legislation are approved by Parliament, Dr. Forson promised that President John Dramani Mahama will sign them into law right away.
“I assure you that I will do my bid tomorrow and submit it to Parliament, and looking at the urgency involved, I’m hopeful that Parliament will take it through the various stages and approve it for us,” Dr. Forson added.
Addressing concerns about parliamentary support, the Finance Minister affirmed that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Majority caucus fully backs the initiative.
“As for the backing of the NDC Majority caucus, we have it 100%,” he stated.
Source: myjoyonline.com