By Amos Harris
The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) has launched a significant nationwide training program to strengthen tax compliance and public financial management. Targeting county finance officers and key government stakeholders in the education and health sectors, this initiative is a major step toward improving how public funds are managed across the country.
The program is spearheaded by the LRA’s Government and Not-For-Profit Division. It aims to enhance the capacity of county-level institutions to administer withholding taxes on payments for goods and services correctly. This training is part of a broader strategy to bolster domestic resource mobilization, ensuring that revenue from local transactions is properly assessed, collected, and remitted according to the national tax framework.
According to the LRA, the training equips finance professionals and administrative officials with the practical tools needed to apply withholding tax rules and manage obligations responsibly. Participants include county administration officials, accountants, procurement officers, logisticians, and members of county health and education teams. These individuals play a critical role in managing development funds and overseeing procurement at the local level.
The first phase of this exercise targets six counties: Rivercess, Grand Bassa, Margibi, Bong, Nimba, and Lofa. Two technical teams from the LRA are currently deployed across these regions to conduct sessions on the withholding tax regime, the legal responsibilities of withholding agents, and the use of the Liberia Integrated Tax Administration System (LITAS).
Launching the training in Cestos City, Josiah T. Farr Jr., the LRA’s Manager for Analysis, Assessment, and Accounting, emphasized that county administrations are essential to the tax system. He noted that these administrations oversee social and county development funds used for vital infrastructure like roads, clinics, and schools. Because these funds involve payments to contractors and suppliers, officials must understand their legal obligation to withhold taxes before making disbursements.
The program has received strong support from local authorities. Dennis G. Seeboe Sr., County Administrative Officer of Rivercess, praised the initiative as a timely intervention that will improve fiscal accountability and financial management capacity. He noted that the training provides a vital opportunity for local officers to gain a deeper understanding of their tax obligations.
Under the Liberia Revenue Code, public institutions are legally required to serve as withholding agents. This means taxes must be deducted at the source before payments reach contractors. By improving compliance at the grassroots level, the LRA aims to ensure development funds are managed responsibly while strengthening the national revenue base.
This initiative aligns with the LRA’s fiscal reform agenda and supports the Local Government Act of Liberia, which empowers counties to manage their own development resources. By building technical capacity and promoting the use of modern digital systems, the LRA is working to ensure sustainable national development and transparent governance.
