LRA Embarks on Nationwide Training of County Officers to Strengthen Tax Compliance

Monrovia, Liberia: The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) has launched a nationwide tax compliance training program for county officers, aimed at strengthening tax administration and improving domestic revenue generation.

The program, implemented through the LRA’s Government and Not-For-Profit Division, seeks to enhance the capacity of county-level institutions to properly apply withholding taxes on payments for goods and services and ensure timely remittance of government revenue in line with the Liberia Revenue Code.

Participants of this program 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 initiative is being conducted in six counties—Rivercess, Grand Bassa, Margibi, Bong, Nimba, and Lofa. Two LRA technical teams have been deployed to the counties to facilitate simultaneous training sessions.

The training focuses on several key areas, including the withholding tax regime, the legal responsibilities of withholding agents, sector-specific compliance requirements, and practical guidance on the use of the Liberia Integrated Tax Administration System (LITAS). Sessions also cover payment timelines and approved channels for remitting withheld taxes.

Launching the training in Cestos City, Rivercess County, on Thursday, March 12, 2026, Josiah T. Farr Jr., Manager for Analysis, Assessment, and Accounting at the LRA and project lead, emphasized the important role county administrations play in ensuring tax compliance at the local level.

Farr noted that county administrations manage and disburse Social Development Funds and County Development Funds that support infrastructure and community development projects such as roads, clinics, water systems, and other essential public services.

“County administrations play a central role in managing development funds at the local level,” Mr. Farr said. “Ensuring that finance officers fully understand their responsibilities as withholding agents is critical to strengthening tax compliance and safeguarding government revenue.”

He further explained that county school systems and county health teams, which also manage procurement funds for goods and services, are equally required to comply with the withholding tax regime.

“Building the capacity of our partners at the county level will help improve compliance, strengthen revenue collection, and enhance transparency in the management of public resources,” he added.

Also speaking at the launch, Dennis G. Seeboe Sr., County Administrative Officer of Rivercess County, welcomed the initiative and praised the LRA for extending the training to county administrations.

“We are honored to be part of this initiative as it provides an important capacity-building opportunity for our staff,” Mr. Seeboe said. “Programs like this help ensure that county administrations clearly understand their responsibilities regarding tax compliance.”

Under the Liberia Revenue Code, county administrations and related public institutions are required to serve as withholding agents when making payments from county social and development funds or other transactions that meet the prescribed threshold.

The applicable withholding tax rates vary depending on the nature of the transaction, including payments for goods and services.

The nationwide training initiative forms part of the LRA’s broader efforts to strengthen domestic revenue mobilization through improved compliance, efficient tax filing and payment systems, and 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 programs such as this training initiative, the LRA continues to promote stronger tax compliance, greater transparency in public financial management, and sustainable domestic revenue generation in Liberia.