Monrovia – Executive Secretary of the West African Tax Administrative Forum (WATAF), Babatunde Oladapo has challenged revenue administrations in the region to strengthen relations with the taxpaying public and simplify tax payment as part of efforts to boost revenue collection in their respective countries.
Mr. Oladapo said the introduction of mobile tax payment services, e-filling platforms, radio and television programs are key ways to improve interactions between tax administration and the taxpaying public.
The WATAF executive spoke Thursday (Aug 30) at the close of a three-day training for taxpayer service officers from eight countries in the region.
Key recommendations from the training include ways to simplify tax laws, automate tax filling systems, implement electronic tax payment services and create information centers to educate taxpayers.
Mr. Oladapo encouraged all revenue bodies to introduce programs that will appeal to the minds of taxpayers and improve customers’ relations.
The taxpayer service training, organized for revenue administrations in the sub-region, took place in Monrovia from the 29 to the 30th of September 2018, with the Liberia Revenue Authority as host.
The three-day training brought together about 30 participants from Ghana, Gambia, Togo, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Benin and Liberia.
During the training interactions, participants discussed the importance of exchanging knowledge between and among revenue administrations.
Participants further shared similar knowledge about ways to improve standards for taxpayers who are require to pay their taxes.
Participants learnt that it was important to engage taxpayers through outreach and sensitization, education and stakeholders’ engagement to improve interactions between taxpayers and tax administration.
Meanwhile, LRA Commissioner of Domestic Tax Darlingston Talery thanked WATAF for organizing the training in collaboration with the LRA.
Commissioner Talery said it is important for tax administrations in the sub-region to introduce effective and efficient tax service programs in their drives to ensure revenue collections.
Commissioner Talery noted that an effective tax administration needs a good and convenient taxpayer’s customs service program.
The training, organized by WATAF, was facilitated by PWC Nigeria and Liberia.
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