MSL Business School

Ghana Tax Rates & Key Compliance Information

Developed by TaxLawGH

TaxLawGH is the Tax & Fiscal Policy Education Unit of MSL Business School

For guidance only. This is not a substitute for professional tax advice.

Calculate your Ghana taxes instantly — Try our Free Tax Calculator ➡️

Individual Income Tax Rates — Resident

Income Tax
Chargeable Income — Annual (GHS)Monthly (GHS)Cumulative AnnualRate
First 5,8804905,8800%
Next 1,3201107,2005%
Next 1,5601308,76010%
Next 38,0003,166.6746,76017.5%
Next 192,00016,000238,76025%
Next 366,24030,520605,00030%
Exceeding 605,00050,416.6735%

Other Individual Rates

Income Tax
DescriptionRate
Non-Resident Individuals (flat rate)25%
Casual Workers5%
Election to tax certain gains & gifts at flat rate25%

Company Income Tax (CIT) Rates

Income Tax
DescriptionRate
General CIT Rate25%
Mineral & Mining Operations35%
Petroleum Operations35%
Hotel Industry22%
Lottery Operations (on gross gaming revenue)20%
Minimum Chargeable Income (on turnover)5%
Minimum Chargeable Income is the "Chargeable Income" to be taxed, and not a tax itself.

Other Company Income Tax Rates

Income Tax
DescriptionRate
Manufacturing companies in Accra or Tema25%
Manufacturing companies in regional capitals (outside Accra & Tema)18.75%
Manufacturing companies outside regional capitals12.5%
Financial Institutions (Farming & Lease Financing income)20%
Companies engaged in export of non-traditional goods8%
CIT Rate for Trusts25%
Financial Sector Recovery Levy (specified banks only)5% of PBT

Growth & Sustainability Levy (GSL)

Income Tax
CategoryRate
Category A5% of PBT
Banks, non-bank FIs, insurance companies, telecoms (CST-liable), breweries, inspection & valuation companies, mining support services, bulk oil distributors, oil marketing companies, communications tower operators, upstream petroleum services, SEC-registered companies, specialised deposit-taking institutions, electronic money issuers, shipping lines, maritime & airport terminals
Category B1% of Gross Production
Gold mining companies, other mining companies, upstream oil & gas companies
Category C2.5% of PBT
All other entities not in Category A or B. "Entity" means a company, partnership, or trust but does not include an individual.

Free Zone Income Tax Rates

Income Tax
DescriptionRate
Income Tax Rate (first 10 years)0%
Income Tax Rate on export sales (after first 10 years)15%
Income Tax Rate on domestic sales (after first 10 years)25%

Temporary Tax Concessions

Income Tax
All concessions are taxed at a 5% concessionary rate during the concession period.
Business TypeConcessionary Period
Farming — Tree CropFirst 10 years from 1st harvest
Farming — Livestock (other than cattle), fish or cash cropsFirst 5 years from commencement
Farming — CattleFirst 10 years from commencement
Agro-Processing Business (conducted wholly in Ghana)First 5 years from commercial production
Cocoa by-products from cocoa waste (conducted wholly in Ghana)First 5 years from commercial production
Certified companies constructing low-cost residential premisesFirst 5 years from commencement
Processing of waste for agricultural or commercial purposeFirst 7 years from commencement
Rural BankingFirst 10 years from establishment
Venture Capital Financing CompanyFirst 10 years after first qualifying
Post-Concession Location-Based Rates (Next 5 Years)Rate
Accra and Tema20%
Other Regional Capitals outside the Northern Savannah Ecological Zone15%
Outside other Regional Capitals10%
The Northern Savannah Ecological Zone5%

Young Entrepreneurs Exemption (≤ 35 years)

Income Tax
Location (Post-Exemption — for 5 years)Rate
Initial exemption period (all locations)Exempt for 5 years
Accra and Tema15%
Other Regional Capitals outside the three Northern Regions12.5%
Outside other Regional Capitals10%
The three Northern Regions5%
Qualifying sectors: Manufacturing, ICT, agro-processing, energy production, waste processing, tourism & creative arts, horticulture, and medicinal plants. Requires approval from the Commissioner-General of the GRA.

Additional Deduction for Fresh Graduates

Income Tax
Fresh Graduates in Workforce% of Salaries Deductible
Up to 1%10%
Above 1% but not more than 5%30%
Above 5%50%

Automobile Manufacturer/Assembler Exemption

Income Tax
CategoryConcessionary Period
Manufacturers or assemblers of semi-knocked down (SKD) vehicles3 years from date of commencement
Manufacturers of complete-knocked down (CKD) vehicles10 years from date of commencement
Under the Ghana Automotive Manufacturing Development Programme. A manufacturer who starts with SKD and converts to CKD is entitled to an aggregate concessionary period of 10 years.

WHT — Dividend, Interest & Rent (Resident)

WHT
CategoryRateFinal?
Dividend8%Yes
Interest (excl. individuals & resident FIs)8%No
Rent on residential properties (investment income)8%Yes
Rent on commercial properties (investment income)15%Yes

WHT — Goods, Works & Services (Resident)

WHT
CategoryRateFinal?
Goods3%No
Works5%No
Services7.5%No
Subject to an annual cumulative GHS 2,000 threshold.

WHT — Fees, Commissions & Other (Resident)

WHT
CategoryRateFinal?
Fees for examiners, invigilators, supervisors, part-time teaching/lecturing10%Yes
Fees/allowances to resident director, manager, trustee or board member20%No
Endorsement Fees to Individuals10%Yes
Commission to insurance, sales, canvassing & lotto agents10%No
Consideration on realisation of an asset or liability3%No

WHT — Royalties & Natural Resource Payments (Resident)

WHT
CategoryRateFinal?
Natural resource payments and royalties15%No
Payment to Petroleum Sub-Contractors7.5%No
Payment for unprocessed precious minerals1.5%No

Non-Resident Withholding Tax Rates

WHT
CategoryRateFinal?
Dividend (subject to DTA rates)8%Yes
Interest (subject to DTA rates)8%Yes
Management, Consulting & Technical Service Fees, and Endorsement Fees20%Yes
Royalty, Natural Resource Payments & Rents15%Yes
Goods, Works & Services20%Yes
Short-term Insurance Premiums5%Yes
Repatriated Branch After-Tax Profits8%Yes
Income from Telecommunication, Shipping & Air Transport15%Yes
Payment to Petroleum Sub-contractors15%Yes
Consideration on realisation of an asset or liability10%Yes

Value Added Tax (VAT) & Levies

VAT
ComponentRate
VAT Standard Rate15%
National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL)2.5%
Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) Levy2.5%
Effective Combined Rate20%
Withholding VAT Rate7%

VAT Registration Threshold

VAT
RuleThreshold
General Registration Threshold (goods, 12-month period)GHS 750,000
ServicesNo threshold
Promoters of Public Entertainment & AuctioneersDifferent rules apply

Communications Service Tax (CST)

VAT
TaxRate
Communications Service Tax5%

Personal Reliefs (Annual Amounts)

Employment
ReliefAmount / Rate
Marriage / Responsibility ReliefGHS 1,200
Disability Relief25% of Assessable Income
Old Age Relief (self, 60+ years)GHS 1,500
Aged Dependent Relief (60+ years, max 2 dependents)GHS 1,000 each
Child Education Relief (max 3 children/wards)GHS 600 each
Training ReliefGHS 2,000

SSNIT Contribution Rates (2026)

Employment
ItemDetail
Employee Contribution5.5% of Basic Salary
Employer Contribution13% of Basic Salary
Total Contribution18.5%
2026 Insurable Earnings Limits (Monthly)
Maximum Insurable EarningGHS 69,000.00
Minimum Insurable EarningGHS 587.80
2026 Monthly Contribution Limits
Maximum Total Contribution (18.5%)GHS 9,315.00
Maximum Employee Contribution (5.5%)GHS 3,795.00
Maximum Employer Contribution (13%)GHS 8,970.00
Minimum Total Contribution (18.5%)GHS 79.40
Per SSNIT Public Notice dated 13 January 2026. The adjustment is in accordance with Section 63(3) of the National Pensions Act 2008 (Act 766).

Accommodation Benefits (Employment)

Employment
TypeRate (% of TCE)
Accommodation with Furnishing10%
Accommodation Only7.5%
Furnishing Only2.5%
Shared Accommodation2.5%
TCE = Total Cash Emoluments (Basic Salary + Allowances + Cash Gifts)

Vehicle Benefits (Employment)

Employment
TypeRate (% of TCE)Monthly Cap
Driver, Vehicle & Fuel12.5%GHS 1,500
Vehicle with Fuel10%GHS 1,250
Vehicle Only5%GHS 625
Fuel Only5%GHS 625
TCE = Total Cash Emoluments (Basic Salary + Allowances + Cash Gifts)

Overtime Tax Treatment (QJE)

Employment
CriteriaRate
Up to 50% of monthly basic salary5%
More than 50% of monthly basic salary10% on excess
A Qualifying Junior Employee (QJE) is a junior staff member earning ≤ GHS 18,000 per annum. QJE overtime tax is a final tax. For non-QJEs, overtime is added to employment income and taxed at the applicable PAYE rate.

Bonus Tax Treatment

Employment
CriteriaRate
Bonus up to 15% of annual basic salary5%
Excess above 15% of annual basic salaryAdded to employment income; taxed at applicable rate

Loan Benefits-in-Kind

Employment
Qualifying ConditionsTax Treatment
Loan from employer to employee, loan tenor ≤ 12 months, aggregate outstanding at any time in the previous 12 months does not exceed 3 months' basic salaryNo benefit assessed on the employee
Any other case (conditions not met)Benefit = ¼ × (Interest imputed at BoG rate − Interest paid by employee during the year)

Mortgage Interest Deduction

Employment
RuleDetail
Deductible amountMortgage interest incurred during the year
LimitationOne residential premises only, during the lifetime of the individual
EffectDeducted in arriving at the individual's chargeable income

Capital Allowance Classes

Corporate
ClassAssetsRate / Method
Class 1Computers & data handling equipment with peripherals40% Reducing Balance
Class 2Automobiles, trailers, construction/earth-moving equipment, manufacturing plant & machinery; plantation capital expenditure30% Reducing Balance
Class 3Locomotives, water transport, aircraft, office furniture & fixtures, other equipment20% Reducing Balance
Class 4Buildings, structures & works of permanent nature10% Straight Line
Class 5Intangible AssetsUseful Life
Notes: Classes 1–3 are depreciated on a reducing balance basis. Classes 4–5 are depreciated on a straight line basis. The cost of a road vehicle (other than a commercial vehicle) shall not exceed GHS 75,000. Importers/manufacturers of excisable goods are granted accelerated depreciation over 2 years (50% per year) on affixing machinery imported for implementing Excise Tax Stamp Policy. Capital allowances must be utilised in the year granted.

Other Corporate Provisions

Corporate
ProvisionDetail
Unrelieved Losses — Carry forward5 years
Repairs & Improvements — Deduction cap5% of year-end WDV of asset pool
Excess disallowed repairs expenditureCapitalised in same pool; granted capital allowance
Financial Cost Limitation — Excess carry forward5 years

Foreign Exchange Loss Deductibility

Corporate
RuleDetail
Non-deductible if:
Losses are of a capital natureNot deductible
Losses are unrealisedNot deductible
Losses on transactions between two resident personsNot deductible
Capital nature FX lossesMay be capitalised; capital allowance granted
Applies to FX losses incurred on debt claims, debt obligations, or foreign currency holdings by taxpayers in the production of income.

Mineral Royalty Rates — Gold

Mining
Gold Price (US$/Ounce)Royalty Rate
Up to US$1,9005.0%
Above US$1,900 – US$2,0006.0%
Above US$2,000 – US$2,5007.0%
Above US$2,500 – US$3,0008.0%
Above US$3,000 – US$3,5009.0%
Above US$3,500 – US$4,00010.0%
Above US$4,000 – US$4,50011.0%
Above US$4,50012.0%
Based on the weekly average London PM Fix Price (LBMA) in US$ per fine troy ounce.

Mineral Royalty Rates — Lithium (Spodumene)

Mining
Spodumene Price (US$/Tonne)Royalty Rate
Up to US$1,5005%
US$1,501 – US$2,5007%
US$2,501 – US$3,00010%
Above US$3,00012%
Market value determined on an arm's-length basis, having regard to prevailing international market prices.

Mineral Royalty Rates — Other Minerals

Mining
MineralRoyalty Rate
Diamond5.0%
Bauxite5.0%
Manganese5.0%
Salt5.0%
Industrial Mineral5.0%
Limestone5.0%
Iron Ore5.0%

CIT & GSL Instalment Payment Schedule

Compliance
InstalmentDue Date
1st InstalmentBy end of 3rd month of accounting year
2nd InstalmentBy end of 6th month of accounting year
3rd InstalmentBy end of 9th month of accounting year
4th Instalment (to meet 90% threshold)By last working day of accounting year
Top-up (balance of any remaining tax)By 4th month following end of accounting year

Income Tax Compliance Dates

Compliance
ObligationDue Date
Monthly Withholding Tax Return15th of the subsequent month
Monthly Employer PAYE Return15th of the subsequent month
Employer's Annual Tax Deduction Schedule4 months after end of calendar year
Annual Personal Income Tax Return4 months after end of calendar year
Quarterly Company Income Tax Self AssessmentBefore the 3rd, 6th, 9th & 12th month after start of accounting year
Annual Company Income Tax Return4 months after end of accounting year
Tax Return on Realisation of Assets & Liabilities30 days after realisation

VAT & Other Indirect Tax Compliance Dates

Compliance
ObligationDue Date
Value Added TaxLast working day of the next month
Withholding VAT15th of the next month
VAT & Levies on Imported Services21st of the next month
Communications Service TaxLast working day of the next month
Excise Duty Return21st of the next month

Selected Tax Administration Sanctions

Compliance
SanctionDetail
Interest for Late Payment of Tax125% of BoG Monetary Policy Rate, compounded monthly
Penalty for Late Filing of ReturnGHS 500 + GHS 10 per additional day
Penalty for Late Filing (CST)GHS 2,000 + GHS 500 per additional day
Several other penalties apply for non-compliance of different tax laws.
MSL Business School
Advance your career in accounting, tax & finance
Explore available programmes at MSL Business School
Click here to learn more

Developed by TaxLawGH
TaxLawGH is the Tax & Fiscal Policy Education Unit of MSL Business School
For guidance only. This is not a substitute for professional tax advice.
© 2026 TaxLawGH