The ease and convenience of online tax payment play a crucial role in boosting overall revenue collection for the government. When tax payment becomes hassle-free, more individuals will willingly comply with their tax obligations. The National Revenue Authority (NRA) and the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) have jointly unveiled an application for payments of the Annual Circulation Permit Levy for private and commercial vehicles and Income Taxes for registration of commercial Motor Bikes (Okada) and commercial Tricycles (Kekeh) at the SLRSA HQ on 2nd April, 2024.
The NRA Payment Application (NRA APP) will be used to simplify tax and non-tax revenue collection, particularly for Okada and Kekeh, streamlining processes and enhancing convenience for owners of movable assets.
NRA Commissioner-General, Mrs. Jeneba J. Bangura, emphasized the significance of this initiative which was piloted at the NCRA in 2022 and funded by an African Development Bank Grant. This rollout to SLRSA is funded by the NRA and aims to enhance efficiency and transparency in domestic revenue mobilization.
The Senior Commissioner of the Domestic Tax Department, Ibrahim Sorie Kamara, highlighted the ease and security of the new digital platform, enabling vehicle owners to fulfill their tax obligations online, without the need for long queues or manual paperwork.
The Executive Director of SLRSA, Rev. Smart Senesie, underscored the modernization of tax and non-tax revenue collection processes in the country, marking a significant step towards efficiency and user-friendly services benefiting both the citizens and government.
With the advent of the new online payment system by NRA and SLRSA, the process of fulfilling civic duty has become more accessible, efficient, and empowering for both taxpayers and the two Revenue generating institutions. It has further transformed the way taxpayers and governments interact and have made paying taxes easier, faster, and more secure.
The increased compliance rate, in turn, translates into higher revenues, which can be utilised to fund essential public services and development initiatives.
