MONROVIA – The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) has launched a nationwide tax compliance training program targeting county finance officers and key stakeholders in government’s education and health sectors. The training is part of efforts to strengthen domestic resource mobilization and improve tax administration at the local level.
Led by the LRA’s Government and Not-For-Profit Division, aims to equip county-level institutions with the knowledge and tools required to correctly apply withholding taxes on payments for goods and services, ensure timely remittances, and safeguard government revenue in accordance with the Liberia Revenue Code.
Participants in the training include county administration officials, finance officers, accountants, procurement officers, logisticians, members of county health teams, education officers, and representatives of county councils.
The first phase of the exercise targets six counties—Rivercess, Grand Bassa, Margibi, Bong, Nimba, and Lofa. Two LRA technical teams are currently deployed across the counties to conduct the training simultaneously.
The training covers key areas including the withholding tax regime, the legal obligations of withholding agents, sector-specific compliance guidelines, and practical sessions on the use of the Liberia Integrated Tax Administration System (LITAS), along with payment timelines and approved remittance channels.
Speaking at the launch of the training in Cestos City, Rivercess County, Josiah T. Farr Jr., Manager for Analysis, Assessment, and Accounting at the LRA and project lead, emphasized the critical role county administrations play in implementing the withholding tax regime at the local level.
According to Mr. Farr, county administrations oversee the management and disbursement of Social Development Funds and County Development Funds used to finance critical infrastructure and community development projects, including roads, clinics, water systems, and other essential public services.
He noted that payments from these funds are often made to contractors, suppliers, and consultants involved in county-level projects, and therefore withholding tax obligations must be properly applied by local officials and remitted to the LRA.
“County administrations play a central role in the management of development funds at the local level,” Mr. Farr said. “Ensuring that finance officers understand their responsibilities as withholding agents is essential to strengthening tax compliance and safeguarding government revenue.”
Mr. Farr further explained that local government institutions such as county school systems and county health teams, which also manage procurement funds for goods and services, are required to comply with the withholding tax regime.
“Strengthening the knowledge of our stakeholders at the county level will significantly improve compliance, enhance revenue collection, and promote transparency in public financial management,” he added.
Also speaking at the launch, Dennis G. Seeboe Sr., County Administrative Officer of Rivercess County, commended the LRA for the initiative, describing it as an important step toward strengthening fiscal accountability at the county level.
“We are honored to be part of this initiative as it represents a valuable capacity-building opportunity for our team,” Mr. Seeboe said. “Programs like this help ensure that county administrations clearly understand their obligations regarding tax compliance.”
The Liberia Revenue Code requires institutions such as county administrations and related public entities to serve as withholding agents when making payments from county social and development funds or other transactions that meet the prescribed threshold. Withholding tax rates vary depending on the nature of the transaction, including payments for goods and services.
The nationwide training forms part of the LRA’s broader fiscal reform agenda aimed at strengthening domestic revenue generation through improved compliance, efficient tax filing and payment systems, and the expanded use of the Liberia Integrated Tax Administration System.
The initiative also aligns with the Local Government Act, which empowers county administrations to oversee development funds for priority projects approved by county councils.
Through initiatives such as this nationwide training program, the LRA continues to strengthen tax compliance, promote transparency in public financial management, and support Liberia’s long-term domestic revenue mobilization efforts.
