By Amos Harris
The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), through its Management Information Systems (MIS) Division, has initiated a nationwide refresher training program for its frontline staff. The training, which kicked off at the Marshall Tax Business Office (TBO) in Margibi County, is designed to enhance staff capacity in using the upgraded Liberia Integrated Tax Administration System (LITAS).
The program’s objective is to modernize tax administration, improve accountability, and boost revenue performance. Funded by the World Bank’s Governance Reform and Accountability Transformation (GREAT) Project, the initiative aims to use technology to improve public administration and citizen services.
According to Derek A. Hill, the LRA’s IT Project Coordinator, the training is a significant step in the Authority’s digital transformation. The enhanced system will make it easier and faster for taxpayers to make payments, as it is compatible with both mobile phones and computers. The system has also been integrated with mobile money platforms, allowing taxpayers to receive instant electronic receipts and SMS confirmations.
Seven of Liberia’s nine commercial banks are already linked to the new system, with the remaining two expected to be integrated shortly. This digital upgrade will eliminate the need for TBO staff to submit manual reports to the head office, as reports will now be generated and submitted digitally from each location, providing real-time performance data. Hill announced that manual reporting will be phased out by September 1 for all TBOs that complete the training.
The new system is also expected to improve the taxpayer experience by providing instant transaction confirmations and electronic receipt numbers for proper recordkeeping. Over the past year, the LRA has accelerated the automation of tax processes in an effort to close revenue gaps, build taxpayer confidence, and move closer to its goal of collecting an annual revenue of USD 1 billion.
