This article provides an in-depth overview of the corporate tax regime for companies operating in Ghana in 2025. We detail the applicable rates, special sector provisions, and notable levies affecting businesses in the country, relying exclusively on officially extracted data.
Overview of Ghana’s Corporate Tax System
Ghana applies a flat corporate income tax rate of 25% on company profits. The assessment basis for this tax is corporate income, and the rate is expressed in Ghanaian Cedi (GHS).
Corporate Tax Rates and Special Provisions (2025)
The standard and reduced rates, including sector-specific regimes and additional levies, are summarized below. All rates are current as of 2025. Where relevant, notable alternative rates for specific industries and company categories apply instead of the standard corporate income tax rate.
| Category / Condition | Rate (GHS %) | Description & Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Corporate Tax | 25% | All companies (general regime) |
| Mining and Upstream Petroleum | 35% | Applied instead of the standard rate |
| Hotel Industry Companies | 22% | Companies primarily engaged in hotel operations |
| Non-Traditional Exports | 8% | Eligible exporting companies |
| Banks (Lending to Agriculture & Leasing) | 20% | On income from such business operations |
| Lottery Operators | 20% | On gross gaming revenue |
| Free Zone Enterprises (Post 10-Year Holiday, Export) | 15% | Post-tax holiday, on export income outside domestic market |
| Free Zone Enterprises (Post 10-Year Holiday, Domestic Sales) | 25% | On sales within Ghana’s domestic market after tax holiday |
| Branch Profits Repatriated by Non-Residents | 8% | Withholding tax on repatriated profits |
| Low-Cost Housing Certified Companies | 5% | Available for 5 years only |
| Farming/Agro-processing/Rural Banking/Unit Trust/Mutual Fund (Concessionary) | 5% | During the concessionary period only |
Growth and Sustainability Levy (GSL) & Financial Sector Recovery Levy (FSRL)
In addition to the headline tax rates, certain companies in Ghana are subject to specific levies depending on their industry and activity. These are not blanket surcharges on taxable profits but are calculated on profit before tax or gross production, as designated in policy.
| Levy Name / Category | Rate (GHS %) | Applicable Entities & Basis |
|---|---|---|
| GSL – Category A | 5% | Banks, non-bank financial institutions, insurance, telecoms, breweries (on profit before tax; active 2023–2025) |
| GSL – Category B | 1% | Mining, upstream oil & gas (on gross production; active 2023–2025) |
| GSL – Category C | 2.5% | All other entities not in A or B (on profit before tax; active 2023–2025) |
| FSRL (Banks except Rural/Community Banks) | 5% | Levy on profit before tax (until end of 2024) |
Key Takeaways on Ghana’s Corporate Tax Approach
- Flat Standard Rate: Ghana’s corporate tax is primarily a flat regime, providing a predictable baseline rate for most entities.
- Sector-Specific Variations: Several industries—including mining, petroleum, hospitality, and non-traditional exports—face special tax rates instead of the general rate.
- Supplementary Levies: The Growth and Sustainability Levy, as well as the Financial Sector Recovery Levy (where applicable), elevate the overall effective tax rate on profit or production in certain industries.
Pro Tips for Navigating Ghana’s Corporate Taxes
- Carefully identify your company’s principal activities, as rates differ significantly for mining, exports, hospitality, and financial institutions.
- Free zone status brings significant tax advantages but be mindful of how the tax rate differs between export and local sales after the 10-year concession period.
- Check your eligibility for reduced rates or concessions, particularly if operating in priority sectors like agriculture, low-cost housing, or rural banking.
- Factor in additional levies (GSL or FSRL) in your profit projections—these are not uniform and may impact total effective taxes more than headline corporate rates suggest.
- Stay updated by monitoring Ghana Revenue Authority communications (https://www.gra.gov.gh) for any upcoming changes in sector categorization or levy rates beyond 2025.
Official Source
For comprehensive regulations, definitions, and official updates, see the Ghana Revenue Authority.
Ghana’s current corporate tax landscape is marked by a broad flat rate coupled with numerous targeted incentives and sector-specific requirements. Companies should pay close attention to supplementary levies and industry categories, as these can materially affect both short-term and long-term effective tax rates. Understanding how your business activities fit within the Ghanaian framework is crucial for accurate tax forecasting and compliance.