By Foday Moriba Conteh
In a continued effort to promote tax compliance and strengthen relationships with the business community, the National Revenue Authority (NRA) organized a series of taxpayer engagements aimed at fostering cooperation and enhancing compliance.
On November 19, 2024, the NRA held a meeting with Large Taxpayers, bringing together representatives from businesses with an annual turnover of Five Million New Leones and above. The session, led by Commissioner General Mrs. Jeneba J. Bangura, marked the beginning of a three-day initiative targeting different taxpayer categories, including Medium Taxpayers and Tax Advisors in subsequent days.
Speaking at the event, Mrs. Bangura emphasized the importance of the gathering in recognizing taxpayers’ contributions, addressing their concerns, and promoting a culture of compliance. She highlighted recent reforms within the Authority that have been positively received by development partners and civil society groups.
“This engagement is an opportunity to express our gratitude to taxpayers, hear their concerns, and work together to ensure compliance,” she stated, underscoring the critical role of transparency and accountability in building a healthy tax environment.
Mrs. Bangura reaffirmed the NRA’s commitment to collaboration, noting that partnerships with taxpayers are essential for sustainable economic growth and effective revenue mobilization.
The following day, November 20, 2024, the NRA hosted a stakeholder engagement with Medium Taxpayers—businesses with annual turnovers ranging from One Hundred Thousand to Five Million New Leones. This second session focused on addressing compliance challenges, discussing the implications of the 2023 and 2024 Finance Acts, and fostering open communication between the NRA and Medium Taxpayers.
During her address, Mrs. Bangura acknowledged the significant contributions of Medium Taxpayers to the nation’s economy and outlined the Authority’s ongoing reforms to simplify tax administration and improve taxpayer education. She assured attendees that “there will be no new taxes in 2025, but we will focus on improving compliance.”
The interactive session provided a platform for taxpayers to share their concerns, discuss challenges, and propose improvements to the tax system. Responding to these inputs, Mrs. Bangura reiterated the NRA’s commitment to building a transparent and cooperative relationship with taxpayers.
“This engagement is a significant step towards building a culture of cooperation. A strong partnership with Medium Taxpayers is essential for driving economic growth and improving compliance rates,” she concluded.
These engagements reflect the NRA’s dedication to creating an inclusive and supportive tax environment. By fostering open communication and addressing taxpayer concerns, the Authority aims to strengthen compliance, enhance revenue collection, and contribute to Sierra Leone’s economic development.
