Netflix, Spotify, ChatGPT get costlier: Banks to collect 20% tax from October 15

A GH¢1,000 monthly subscription will cost GH¢1,200 for many Ghanaians from Thursday, October 15, 2026, when commercial banks begin collecting a 20 per cent tax on qualifying cross-border digital services at the point of payment. The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has directed banks to collect and remit the applicable taxes on qualifying transactions made with Ghana-issued bank cards. The charge applies where taxes are not already included in the advertised price. The rate combines a 15 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT), a 2.5 per cent National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL), and a 2.5 per cent Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) Levy. On a GH¢1,000 subscription, customers will pay GH¢150 in VAT, GH¢25 in NHIL, and GH¢25 in GETFund Levy, a total of GH¢200.