Monrovia – The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) has successfully concluded a two-day intensive review of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) within its Domestic Tax Department.
This comprehensive exercise, conducted in collaboration with the Enterprise Design, Quality Assurance & Results Division (EDQARD), was aimed at aligning all SOPs with current operational realities, particularly the rapid advancements in technology and the ongoing digitization of the LRA operations.
Nearly 30 staff members from the Domestic Tax Department, EDQARD and the Commissioner General’s office gathered in Margibi County to undertake this critical review, reflecting the LRA’s dedication to modernizing its processes and improving service delivery to taxpayers across Liberia.
Commissioner General James Dorbor Jallah emphasized the necessity of automating tax processes to enhance efficiency and reduce redundancy. He highlighted the transition from manual, paper-based systems to fully integrated, web-based platforms as an essential step forward.
“We are moving toward automation. Our processes and SOPs must align accordingly. It is critical that we invest more in IT to reduce waste and eliminate redundant processes, including manual auditing. Countries like Zambia are already reaping the benefits of digitization, and we must follow suit,” he stated. The Commissioner General underscored that digitization is no longer optional but a necessity to meet the expectations of today’s taxpayers.
CG Jallah underscored that digitization is no longer optional but a necessity
The review focused on 13 SOPs that had remained unchanged for over four years despite significant changes in revenue collection and technology. Key among the drivers of this review is, for example, the migration from the old SIGTAS platform to the new Liberia Integrated Tax Administration System (LITAS).
Isaac G. Flomo, Manager of the Business Policy & Research Section, explained that the SOPs must now reflect how LITAS functions to ensure that staff are properly guided and taxpayers experience a smoother and more consistent service.
SOPs are essential in guiding domestic tax staff by clearly defining procedures, reducing subjectivity, enhancing professionalism, and ensuring alignment with the LRA’s organizational goals. Thomas Jallah, Manager for Enterprise Design, Quality Assurance, and Results at EDQARD, highlighted their role in improving institutional efficiency by clarifying responsibilities, necessary tools, and expected outcomes, thereby building taxpayer confidence in the LRA.
The documents reviewed include SOPs for analysis, assessment and accounting, filing and payment, issuance of tax clearance certificates, domestic audit, 4% payment at port of entry, domestic tax enforcement, taxpayer registration and segmentation, as well as direct transfer and payment processes.
This initiative forms part of the LRA’s broader commitment to institutional effectiveness, process modernization, and enhanced taxpayer services, ensuring a modern, efficient, and transparent tax administration system for all Liberians. Commissioner General Jallah reaffirmed the LRA’s dedication to embracing technology and continuous improvement as vital components for the future of Liberia’s revenue collection.
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