LRA Moves to Enforce President Boakai’s Directive on Real Property Tax Arrears for Public Officials

By: Ernest Kpehe Moibah | Bomi County Correspondent

Monrovia, Liberia-Thursday, September 11, 2025-The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) has announced its readiness to implement President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s recent directive mandating all public officials to settle outstanding arrears on their real properties in accordance with the Liberia Revenue Code.

The directive, which gives public officials until October 31, 2025, seeks to ensure compliance with tax laws and strengthen domestic revenue mobilization for national development.

LRA Welcomes Presidential Mandate

Speaking in a live telephone interview Rural Reporter News Network, LRA’s Communication Manager D. Kaihenneh Sengbeh expressed appreciation to President Boakai for what he described as a timely and bold decision to ensure accountability and transparency in the payment of real property taxes.

According to Sengbeh, the definition of real property extends beyond houses to include farms and vacant lands. He clarified that while properties owned by individuals are taxable, lands hosting religious institutions such as churches and mosques are exempt from taxation.

“We want all public officials to take this directive seriously. Paying real property tax is not optional; it’s the law. By complying, public officials will be directly supporting national revenue generation and the country’s development agenda,” Sengbeh stressed.

Public Officials to Pay Five Years of Arrears

In clarifying the scope of the mandate, Sengbeh noted that public officials who have failed to pay taxes on their real properties will now be required to settle arrears covering the past five years, in addition to the current tax year.

“The Liberia Revenue Code is clear. It is the law, and it must be respected. The LRA is fully prepared to guide and support public officials during this process so that compliance is smooth and effective,” Sengbeh assured.

Expanding Payment Access Nationwide

To facilitate the process, Sengbeh disclosed that the LRA will open payment centers across the country to give public officials and property owners’ easy access to settle their obligations without difficulty.

He emphasized that decentralizing the payment system is part of the LRA’s strategy to remove barriers that may discourage compliance.

Call for Legislative and Judicial Cooperation

While the President’s directive focused on officials within the executive branch, Sengbeh urged both the Legislative and Judicial branches of government to also demonstrate leadership by ensuring their members comply with the Revenue Code.

“The President did not want to be seen as doing the job of the other branches of government, which is why he limited the directive to the executive. However, for the sake of Liberia, we are calling on lawmakers and members of the judiciary to follow suit,” Sengbeh appealed.

Strengthening Compliance and National Development

The LRA insists that compliance with real property tax obligations by public officials will not only reinforce public confidence in governance but also boost the country’s capacity to deliver essential services.

As the October 2025 deadline approaches, the authority has vowed to strictly enforce the directive, warning that non-compliance will not be tolerated.