Message from the Commissioner General Elfrieda Stewart Tamba Commissioner General/CEO Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) The fourth edition of the Revenue Watch is here, and we I strongly believe that there is no way we can improve are glad to have you reading it as always. This is just why and bolster domestic resource mobilization in the we have published it! absence of innovation, automation and the application of technology, zero tolerance for corruption, legal The Revenue Watch, a quarterly publication by our compliance among others. We are jealously achieving Communications, Media and Public Affairs Section, is this roadmap, part of which are the launch of the one of our many channels of communication and ways e-filling platform and the paperless declaration system. of reaching our valued taxpayers and the general public, Also, this edition highlights our revenue performance inclusive of local and foreign partners and international for the period, and the major importers and exporters. audience. At the LRA, like I always say, we keep striving to remain This edition of the Revenue Watch is packaged with key proactive in the provision and dissemination of timely happenings within, and efforts of the LRA over the last and professionally packaged information that help three months covering January to March 2018. sensitize our people in order to positively impact revenue collection in the country. Highlights include the digitizing of our tax payment system, with the launch of the e-filling platform and the I hope that this piece of work provides an excellent paperless declaration system. reading for you, as we remain obliged and engaged to improving voluntary compliance in order to ensure Nearly four years after its establishment, the LRA higher levels of tax compliance for the development is continuously using technology to transform the of Mama Liberia, through the Government’s Pro Poor Country’s revenue administration. The LRA remains Agenda. committed to introducing new technologies in modernizing and transforming revenue collection in Liberia. Enjoy your reading! TRANSFORMING REVENUE ADMINISTRATION IN MAMA LIBERIA FOR THE NATIONAL GOOD Letter From The Chief Editor REVENUE WATCH MAGAZINE Managing Editor D. Kaihenneh Sengbeh Senior Editor Victor Kummeh Seah Staff Writer/Editor Jerry Laynumah Siakor Graphic Designer Tyrence Walter Moore, Jr. Research Officer Emmet Doelu D. Kaihenned Sengbeh Manager of Communications Media & Public Affairs Section Thanks for grabbing a copy of the based on topics, you will definitely latest edition of the Revenue Watch! find interesting information that will enhance your knowledge about the I am exceptionally excited to see the work we do at the LRA. third quarterly edition of the Revenue Watch (January - March), containing Producing this quarterly Magazine information and success stories and would not have been possible articles about the work of the LRA and without the full cooperation of the its valued partners and stakeholders. Assistant Commissioners, Managers and Commissioners who provided us The edition comprises at least 25 the requested information for writing stories and articles that highlight and editing. Major activities of the LRA for Contact us at the period under review. These Commissioner General Elfrieda [email protected] articles and stories are further Stewart Tamba never ceased categorized into News, Partnership & pressing for updates and progress Visit us at Engagements, Recognition, Articles on the magazine, and making her www.lra.gov.lr and Interview. professional and relevant inputs. The CG’s persistent queries and demand Also, in this edition you will see our key for meeting the publication deadline Posted Address tax due dates, Revenue Performance Liberia Revenue Authority was quite a great stimulus in getting for the quarter under review, top 10 P. O. Box 1965 this work done. importers and taxpayers, locations of ELWA Junction LRA Tax and Customs Business offices Now, we are glad that you can read it. Paynesville City, Liberia across the country, your frequently Enjoy it. asked question interview, among Call Center Contacts others. +231- (0) - 770-572-572 +231- (0) - 888-572-572 Whether you choose to read from the first to the last page, or in segments Thank you. CMPA Contacts +231- (0) - 777-586-531 +231- (0) - 886-586-531 RECOGNITION & HONOR 3rd EDITION VOL # 3 | JANUARY - MARCH 2018 CONTENTS 6 COVER STORY LRA Launches Paperless Customs Declaration To Reduce NEWS Clearing Period Engagement 6 CG Tamba Assures Modern 26 LRA Licenses 13 Tax Practitioners Customs Administration As LRA Observes ICD Awareness 23 Communicating The LRA Corporate Recognitions & Honor 10 15 Government Hospitals Benefit Strategic Plan To The Employees 28 CG Tamba Receives Public Service, LRA Fuel Distribution Integrity Award 11 From The CBOs And TBOs: 29 UNCTAD Certifications LRA Staff As How did the County perform in Partnership Int’l Trade Facilitation Trainer quarter 2? 24 USAID/RG3 Boosts LRA Real Estate 30 Honored For Excellence Mapping Project 12 Committed To Country 86-years & 78-years Visually Challenged 25 LRA, AMEU Sign Agreement On Citizens Walked In To Pay Their Taxes Engagement Teaching Revenue Code 31 Peeping Into The Trade Statistics 13 Chasing The Millions 13 Criminally Obtained 14 Fighting For The Revenue 15 20 Modernization and Transformation 17 ROLLING OUT THE CHANGE LRA, RG3 Launch Liberia’s First E-filing Platform Tax Awareness 18 Continuing The Taxpayer Engagement Procedure For Clearing Air Freight Procedure For Processing Imports At Sea Ports TAX DUE DATES 19 Real Estate Tax Division Embarks 24 Procedure For Good Clearance At Land Borders On Massive Tax Awareness Campaign LIBERIA REVENUE AUTHORITY | 1 YTD-DOMESTIC YTD-DOMESTIC JANUARY FEBRUARY MAYREVENUE OUTTURN REVENUEYTD-DOMESTIC PERFORMANCE REVENUE OUTTURN REVENUE PERFORMANCE REVENUE OUTTURN REVENUE PERFORMANCE 24,806, 24,806, 10% 9% 20,789 , 47% 179,522 , 43% 17,296, 15,829, 22,832, 253,470 15,480, 284,834 43% 40,129 51% 31,309 57% 49% 44,251 111,647,420,525 127,477, 44% 117,018, 45% 132,551, 46% 46% External Resources External Resources External Resources External Resources Domestic Tax Department Domestic Tax Department Domestic Tax Department 23,462 , 53% Domestic Tax Department 241,003 , 57% Customs Department Customs Department CustomsDomestic Department Tax Department Customs Department DomesticCustoms Tax Department Department Customs Department External Resources Domestic Tax Department Customs Department Domestic Tax Department Customs Department External Resources The Domesticgross revenue Tax Departmentcollections for the monthCustoms of January Department The year toDomestic date gross Tax revenueDepartment collections (July-JanuaryCustoms Department 2018 were US$29.534 million and LRD 1.334 billion. 2018) were US$172.911 million and LRD 11.160 billion. The The consolidated value at the average monthly rate consolidated monthly aggregate value was US$268.022 of 125.88LRD/1USD is US$40.129 million. This amount million. However, of the total collection US$11.344M and registered an over performance of US$3.57 million, an LRD359.304M were obligations for last fiscal year 16/17 but equivalent of 10 percent against a target of US$36.558 actualized in this fiscal year. The current collections year to date million. were US$ 161.565 million and LRD 10.799 billion. This includes World Bank International Development Association Grants Total collection for the month in the current fiscal year, US$20.000M on the current fiscal year 2017/18 as an overdraft. when compared to the same period last fiscal year, a The consolidated value is US$253.470 million, against a target decline of 10 percent in total revenue and Domestic of US$250.761 million, registered a surplus of US$2.709 million Revenue was registered. The decline in total revenue or 1.1 percent. When compared to the same period of last experience in the current period is attributed to low fiscal period, a negative growth of 17 percent was registered. revenue intake from Maritime, LPRC Road Fund, Service Domestic Tax Department accounted for US$72.179M and tax and GSM license. Together they account for 97 LRD 5.344 billion. The consolidated monthly aggregate value, percent of the total decline. In terms of the core revenue US$117.018 million was realized, representing 46 percent departments, Domestic Tax Department accounted for of the total collection. Customs Department accounted for US$14.965 million and LRD989.892 million, consolidated US$64.580 million and LRD 5.455 billion. The consolidated value US$22.832 million, representing 57 percent of the monthly aggregate value, US$111.647 million was realized, total collection, and Customs department accounted representing 44 percent of the total collection. Total amount for US$ 14.568 million and LRD343.799 million, with on account of External resources realized for the period was consolidated value of US$17.296 million, representing 43 US$24.806 million or 10 percent of the total collections to date. percent of the total collection. YTD-DOMESTIC YTD-DOMESTIC JANUARY FEBRUARY MAYREVENUE OUTTURN REVENUEYTD-DOMESTIC PERFORMANCE REVENUEMAY OUTTURN REVENUEYTD-DOMESTIC PERFORMANCE REVENUE OUTTURN REVENUE PERFORMANCE 24,806, REVENUE OUTTURN REVENUE PERFORMANCE 24,806, 10% 9% 20,789 , 47% 20,789 , 47% 179,522 , 43% 179,522 , 43% 17,296, 15,829, 22,832, 253,470 15,480, 284,834 43% 40,129 51% 31,309 57% 49% 44,251 111,647,420,525 44,251 127,477,420,525 44% 117,018, 45% 132,551, 46% 46% External Resources External