MONROVIA, April 20 (LINA) -The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) Commissioner General, Thomas Doe Nah, has disclosed that the new tax system that includes online registration, online filing and payment will ensure effective transformation of revenue collection through information, communication technology (ICT).
Making the statement Wednesday at the launch of the Liberia Integrated Tax Administration System (LITAS) at the LRA office in Paynesville, Mr. Doe Nah started that LITAS will replace the Standard Integrated Government Tax System (SIGTAS) currently being used by the LRA.
According to the LRA Boss, the initiative will serve as a major milestone to make tax payment convenience and improve taxpayers’ experience.
Speaking earlier, LRA Commissioner for Domestic Tax, Darlingston Y. Talery, emphasized that the LRA will roll out LITAS to all tax business offices across the 15 counties of Liberia.
He pointed out the challenges of electricity, internet connectivity and financial support that come along with it, but expressed optimism for success of the undertaking.
He noted that LITAS will eliminate compliance costs, minimize human interferences and related errors, and boost revenue growth.
Acting Finance and Development Planning Minister and Comptroller General of Liberia, Janga Kowo, lauded LRA for the initiative, expressing confidence that the digitalization of tax collection will help to achieve the government’s development agenda.
He then thanked the LRA team and the innovative leadership of the Commissioner General Doe Nah for the quest to move Liberia revenue generation to billions of dollars.
World Bank Group acting Country Manager, Mack Capehart Mulbah, thaiked the LRA for “a great venture” in generating more revenues for the country through the use of digitalization and pledged more support from the bank to the LRA.
African Development Bank, Senior Country Economist, Yusuf Bob Foday, also stressed that “AfDB is pleased with the progress at LRA because digitalization is the right way to go as it improves services and increases revenue collections. »
The initiative was sponsored by the African Development Bank Group, World Bank, SIDA and the European Union.
The project seeks to improve tax compliance and increase tax revenue with the aim to gather sustainable resources to support Liberia’s growth and development.
The LRA in 2021 launched the pilot phase of the LITAS to replace the Standard Integrated Government Tax System (SIGTAS).
LITAS is part of efforts to improve tax compliance and increase tax revenue to gather sustainable resources to support Liberia’s development.
The launch of LITAS is besides other innovative online tax payment processes, including the Port Automation and Digitization System – a paperless system launched in 2022, meant to speed up customs clearance processes.
The digitization of tax payment platforms supports the goals of the LRA in ensuring the transformation of revenue administration by utilizing effective information and communication technology as stated in Goal Four of the Authority’s strategic direction.
LRA Goal Four points to the transformation of revenue administration by utilizing effective information and communication technology (ICT).
P. Vangerline Kpotoe
