In a bid to strengthen fiscal discipline and boost government revenue at the local level, the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) has launched a nationwide training initiative focused on improving tax compliance among county finance officials.
The program is designed to equip key county-level administrators with the technical knowledge required to properly implement withholding tax regulations and ensure that government revenues are accurately collected and remitted. Participants include county finance officers, procurement officials, accountants, and representatives from the education and health sectors, along with members of county councils.
The first phase of the initiative is being rolled out across six counties—Rivercess County, Grand Bassa County, Margibi County, Bong County, Nimba County, and Lofa County—where LRA technical teams are simultaneously conducting training sessions to build capacity within county administrations.
According to Josiah T. Farr Jr., Manager for Analysis, Assessment, and Accounting at the LRA and lead coordinator of the project, county authorities play a crucial role in enforcing the withholding tax system. He emphasized that improving the technical understanding of finance officers, as well as education and health sector administrators, will significantly enhance tax compliance while promoting transparency in public financial management.
Local officials have welcomed the initiative. Dennis G. Seeboe Sr., Administrative Officer of Rivercess County, praised the program as a timely intervention that will help county administrations better understand and fulfill their tax obligations.
During the sessions, participants are receiving hands-on training on withholding tax procedures, compliance requirements under the Liberia Revenue Code, and the use of the Liberia Integrated Tax Administration System (LITAS) for efficient tax filing and payment.
The LRA believes the initiative will strengthen revenue monitoring at the grassroots level while ensuring that counties play a more active role in safeguarding national resources.
