globaltaxnews.ey.comSign up for tax alert emailsForwardPrintDownload |
15 January 2020 Ghana’s High Court decision allows monthly upfront mortgage concession for employees In Kwasi Nyantakyi Owiredu Vs. Commissioner-General Ghana Revenue Authority, the appellant, dissatisfied with the decision of Ghana’s Commissioner-General (CG) to disallow him a monthly deduction of mortgage interest incurred on his residential property appealed the decision of the CG at the High Court. In the opinion of the appellant, the decision of the CG to allow a deduction of mortgage interest only at the end of the year when the individual filed an annual personal return was not consistent with the relevant provisions of the Income Tax Act, 2015, Act 896 (as amended). The High Court addressed whether it is permissible under the tax laws of Ghana for an employee who pays mortgage interest on his only residential premises on monthly basis to claim or deduct the mortgage interest paid in determining his monthly chargeable income.
Based on the Court’s decision, employees must provide sufficient and appropriate evidence of their mortgage arrangement to their employers. Based on such evidence, employers are to treat mortgage interest paid on a monthly basis on an individual’s only residential accommodation as a deduction in determining the individual’s monthly tax liability. Ernst & Young Ghana, Accra
Ernst & Young Advisory Services (Pty) Ltd., Africa ITTS Leader, Johannesburg
Ernst & Young LLP (United Kingdom), Pan African Tax Desk, London
Ernst & Young LLP (United States), Pan African Tax Desk, New York
Document ID: 2020-5066 |