LRA licenses 13 tax practitioners

As a means of upholding the culture of standard tax administration, the Liberia Revenue Authority certificates thirteen professionals as licensed tax practitioners in the country.

Tax practitioners are individuals who provide advice to taxpayers or any other person about the application of a tax Act; or who assists with the completion of a return for taxpayers.

A press release says the certification comes on the heels of a rigorous vetting process in line with set standards as stipulated in the Act establishing the LRA. Section 7, 2(i) of the LRA Act empowers the Authority to license Tax Practitioners in the country.

The license will enable the practitioners to practice and adhere to professional standards and be legally recognized by the LRA as certified tax practitioners.
Speaking during the certification program on Tuesday, 20 February at LRA Headquarters in Paynesville, Commissioner General Elfrieda Stewart Tamba says the process is a significant mark of transformation and achievement for the Authority.

“The licensing of tax practitioners represents a major indicator and step towards our desire to strengthen and further professionalize the tax profession in Liberia,” CG Tamba indicates.

She reaffirms LRA’s commitment to transform the tax administration in the country by putting in place adequate regulatory measures and relevant policy framework to enhance the operations of tax practitioners in the country.

CG Tamba challenges licensed tax practitioners to uphold the standards of their profession by ensuring commitment and fairness in their dealings with clients and the tax authority.

She urges practitioners to exhibit high level of transparency in the exercise of their professional activities in making sure that government gets the requisite taxes from their clients, the taxpayers.

For his part, the President of the Liberia Institute of Tax Practitioners (LITP) Theo Joseph thanks the LRA for the certification and calls on practitioners to uphold the value of transparency and accountability in the performance of their task.

“As private tax practitioners, we have a responsibility to our government and our clients to ensure that we balance the dual agendas we have to perform,” he reminds his colleagues.

He encourages other tax practitioners in the country to take advantage of the application process in order to obtain their licenses.  Mr. Joseph assures that the LITP will continue to collaborate with the LRA to foster the development of the country’s tax administration sector. Press Release