Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. The National Revenue Authority (NRA) has announced that all excise taxpayers in Sierra Leone now file and pay their taxes electronically, marking a significant step in the country’s ongoing revenue modernization efforts.
Commissioner General Jeneba Bangura, in an interview with Awoko Newspaper, said the transition to a fully digital system reflects broader reforms aimed at improving transparency, compliance, and efficiency in tax administration.
According to Bangura, the introduction of excise tax stamps on beverages, supported by the Ministry of Finance, has improved accountability and compliance. She noted that recent reviews using the Tax Administration Diagnostic Assessment Tool (TADAT) confirmed timely taxpayer adherence to requirements.
To support public oversight, the NRA has launched the “Check Am” mobile application, allowing consumers to verify tax stamps on products. Bangura emphasized the importance of civic participation in monitoring compliance and preventing tax evasion.
The authority has also implemented fuel marking technology through a partnership with SICPA to reduce petroleum smuggling and revenue losses. This program, operational for more than a year, is credited with strengthening a key government revenue source.
In addition to tax reforms, the NRA has expanded non-tax revenue collection through a mobile platform that enables payments for government services including birth certificates, passports, and land registration via mobile money. Public awareness campaigns have helped increase usage despite initial resistance.
Central to the digital shift is the Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS), which has been fully operational since 2021. All income tax and Goods and Services Tax (GST) filings are now done electronically, with no manual submissions. ITAS is integrated with ASYCUDA World, the customs management platform, improving fraud detection by identifying discrepancies in import GST data.
Future plans include connecting ITAS with commercial banks, the Bank of Sierra Leone, the Accountant General’s office, the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS), and electronic cash registers. Bangura said this integration is expected to streamline reconciliations and enhance revenue collection.
The NRA is also working on an asset management initiative, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to link finance, audit, and valuation systems for real-time tracking of government assets.
While highlighting technological advancements, Bangura stressed the need for workplace discipline to sustain reforms, urging staff to maintain focus during work hours.
Observers note that Sierra Leone’s economy, heavily dependent on domestic revenue, stands to benefit from strengthened fiscal discipline and improved investor confidence as these reforms progress.
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