2026 Revenue Authority confirms new 20% VAT rate with reintegration Education and Health levies into VAT;
The Ghanian Revenue Authority has confirmed the reversing the 2018 separation of VAT from the Education Trust Fund of 2.5% and National Health Insurance Levy 2.5%.
From 1 January 2026, the combined rate is now 20% for VAT (15%), NHIL (2.5%) and GETFund (2.5%).
The aim is to withdraw the cascading tax effects of the GETFund and NHIS levies. Since the existing VAT rate is 15%, and the two levies of combined 5.9% compound the VAT, the existing consolidated rate is 21.9%
The COVID-19 Levy will also be withdrawn.
2023 Budget hikes VAT as country seeks debt restructuring with IMF
The West African country of Ghana has announced raise in Value Added Tax standard rate from 12.5% to 15%. This reverses a cut put into place in 2018. The revenues would be used for a road infrastructure upgrade and the digitalisation of the government, and announced in the 2023 Budget
The tax hike comes as the country is in the midst of struggling to meet debt repayments, and is seeking a new plan with the International Monetary Fund. Ghanaian currency, the cedi, has lost 50% of its value this year.
VAT is currently 12.5% in Ghana. In addition, there is a combined 5% Health and Education Levy (National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL) Education Trust Fund Levy (GETFL) on most taxable supplies of goods and services, including imported goods and services.
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