Communication Service Tax

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Communication Service Tax

Young black gentleman in jacket, speaking mobile phone

The Communications Service Tax (CST) is one levied on charges for the use of communications services that are provided by electronic communications service providers. CST is imposed under Section 1 of the Communications Service Tax Act 2008, (Act 754) and CST(Amendment) Act, 2013 (Act 864). It is paid by consumers to the communications service providers, who in turn pay all CST collected to the Domestic Tax Revenue Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority on a monthly basis. The GRA is required under the law, to pay the CST collected into the Consolidated Fund.

Persons Who Qualify to Charge CST

CST is charged only by electronic communications service providers who are in the provision of electronic communication classified by the National Communications Authority under the provisions of the National Communications Regulations 2003 (LI 1719) and notified in writing by the Commissioner-General of the GRA to charge the tax.

These businesses include:

National fixed network and mobile cellular network operators
Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
Public/Corporate Data Operators
Providers of Radio(FM) broadcasting services
Providers of Free-on-air and Pay-per-view television services
Free zones Enterprises
Recipients of electronic communications services from Non-resident persons.

An electronic communication service provider is required to levy CST on all charges for usage of communications services provided, in accordance with the provisions of the Communications Service Tax Act 2008 (Act 754). It is unlawful for any individual to charge the CST.

Services Classified as Electronic Communication Service

Electronic communications service includes,

A service providing electronic communications
A closed user group service,
A private electronic communications service
A public electronic communications service
A radio communications service and
A value-added service.

Benefits of the CST

At least 20% of the Revenue generated from the CST will be used by the government to finance the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) in particular and support the national development agenda of the country in general.

It must be noted that the introduction of the CST coincided with the removal of import duty, VAT and National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL) on the importation and sale of telephone sets including mobile or cellular phones and satellite phones. This has the effect of reducing the cost of telephone sets and generally mitigating the tax burden that may result from the introduction of the CST.

Prepaid Recharge Cards

An electronic communication service provider is required to account for CST on the face-value of prepaid recharge cards sold within the accounting period. The consumer thus pays the tax at the time of purchase of prepaid recharge cards.

Free Zone Operations

A Free Zone Enterprise which provides electronic communication services is required to charge CST on all communication services provided to consumers within the domestic economy and account for the tax to the Commissioner-General of the GRA. All such Free Zone Enterprises are required to submit monthly CST returns in accordance with the provisions of the Communications Service Act 2008, (Act 754).

Communication Service Tax Calculator

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Communication Service Tax

Persons Who Qualify to Charge CST

Services Classified as Electronic Communication Service

Benefits of the CST

Prepaid Recharge Cards

Free Zone Operations

Communication Service Tax Calculator

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