Telcos Win Tax Case Against Government

Telecommunication companies (Telcos) in the country have won a suit against government over the payment of additional tax liabilities under the Communications Service Tax (CST). The Telcos who described the move as double taxation last year dragged the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to court over the matter. Communication service tax popularly known as talk tax has been in operation since 2008. The tax according to the communication service act 2008 enjoins mobile phone users and users of communication services to pay a 6 percent tax on services rendered. The Telcos have since 2010 refused to pay the additional tax liabilities under the CST. A court last week, however, ruled in favour of the telcos on the matter. It�s unclear whether the latest ruling would mean the Telecos will have to pay all the accrued arrears on their liabilities to the government before the suit.