The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) has held its first digital symposium in Paynesville, highlighting new technology designed to make tax payment simpler, quicker and more reliable across Liberia.
The event formed part of Taxpayer Appreciation Month and brought together banks, mobile money providers, development partners and other stakeholders. Its main purpose was to show taxpayers how digital tools can help them register, file returns and make payments with fewer delays.
Opening the programme, Gabriel Y. Montgomery, LRA Deputy Commissioner General for Technical Affairs, said digital systems are important for improving tax administration in the country. He noted that when taxpayers find the process easier, they are more likely to comply.
“Making it easier for taxpayers to meet their obligations through digital systems directly improves compliance and enhances revenue collection,” he said.
Montgomery added that the LRA is committed to using technology to reduce the pressure people often face when paying taxes, while also improving revenue collection for national development.
Kollie U. Zayzay, Assistant Commissioner for the Management Information Systems Division, said Liberia is moving away from slow manual processes towards faster and more dependable digital platforms.
“At the heart of this transformation is the Liberia Integrated Tax Administration System (LITAS), which allows taxpayers to register, file returns, generate payment slips, and make payments in real time,” Zayzay explained.
He also pointed to other systems supporting the process, including ASYCUDA for customs, online tax clearance certificates, digital verification tools, duty-free application platforms, whistleblower reporting channels and electronic fiscal devices that monitor transactions in real time.
Zayzay said the LRA is working with banks, mobile money operators and the Central Bank of Liberia to ensure payments can move smoothly across platforms. New services, including electronic invoicing, VAT features in LITAS, a taxpayer call centre and USSD access for people without smartphones, are also being developed.
The LRA said its digital reforms aim to reduce delays, build public trust, improve tax collection and make the system easier for everyone.