The National Revenue Authority (NRA) has taken a significant step to enhance tax compliance and build stronger relationships with taxpayers by hosting a stakeholder engagement session with medium taxpayers on Thursday, November 20, 2024

The event, hosted at the NRA headquarters in Freetown, brought together representatives of businesses with annual turnovers ranging from 100,000 to 5 million New Leones.

The dialogue aimed to address compliance challenges, improve communication, and support the nation’s revenue collection goals. Discussions revolved around key tax-related issues, including the implications of the 2023 and 2024 Finance Acts, taxpayer concerns, and the critical role of compliance in achieving sustainable development.

Commissioner General Mrs. Jeneba J. Bangura delivered opening remarks, emphasizing the indispensable contributions of medium taxpayers to Sierra Leone’s economy. She underscored the NRA’s commitment to creating a taxpayer-friendly environment through reforms that simplify tax administration and enhance taxpayer education. “There will be no new taxes in 2025, but we will focus on improving compliance,” Mrs. Bangura assured participants.

The interactive session provided taxpayers an opportunity to voice their concerns, share challenges, and propose improvements to the current tax system. Mrs. Bangura reiterated the Authority’s dedication to fostering transparency and collaboration, describing the engagement as a significant step toward building a culture of cooperation. “A strong partnership with medium taxpayers is essential for driving economic growth and improving compliance rates,” she added.

The NRA reaffirmed its focus on inclusivity by addressing challenges and partnering with stakeholders to enhance the nation’s tax landscape for mutual benefit. This stakeholder dialogue reflects the Authority’s broader mission to create a supportive and efficient tax environment.

The session concluded with commitments from both the NRA and the business community to work together in achieving national revenue goals. Businesses applauded the NRA for its efforts to ensure fairness and improve compliance mechanisms.