The Civil Society Consortium of Community and Service delivery has in giant move in partnership with the National Revenue Authority (NR ) engaged a cross section of the business community in raising awareness on the payment of the Goods and Services Tax(GST) and use of the ECR Machine.
The interactive engagement at the Buxton Church on Charles in Freetown on 25th June 2024 brought on board many business houses across Freetown who were opportune to listen to various expertise voices on tax obligations.
William Sao Lamin, Chairman for the Consortium recalled being as one of the pioneers of the GST and how  tax compliance   can  engineer  progress in a country like Sierra Leone where the government still struggles to provide the basic social  amenities
                                              CSO consortium
He said if citizens want to hold government accountable, they must be willing to meet their tax obligations as government depends on tax to cater for the needs of society without it will be a security risk.
Mr.   Lamin urged customers to demand receipt whenever they buy goods so that the NRA can get the records of sales from the particular shop whilst stating that in some countries people willingly report to pay tax because of the penalties involved which is a different case for Sierra Leone.
‘if we scold government to provide us the basic amenities, we must as well urge businesses to make their GST returns and the customer to ask for receipt whenever he or she buys goods ‘’ he noted
The Chairman said  as CSOs, they are taking a two prong approach to ensure each party; the government and the business houses meet their obligations noting that the Electronic Cash  Register Machine ensures accountability and keeps stock of sales on a daily basis
The Consortium ask if the implementation of the ECR Machine  could work in other countries why not Sierra Leone the reason they as CSOs have a role to play to ensure the people pay their tax and government on the other hand provides the basic necessities.
Matilda Z Kamara, Manager Tax Service Policy , Domestic Tax Department NRA,  said the payment of tax is a must and commended the CSO for adding their voice to the call .She  urged customers to ensure they demand receipt whenever they buy goods as that is what is registered on the ECR Machine for the Payment of the monthly returns  to the NRA.
She said, payment is made to the NRA based on the returns through the bank
Ibrahim Turay , Deputy Director Legal and Corporate Service , NRA  said the NRA normally wants the money , the reason they are very restrained to implement punitive measures because the fines are heavy and that once one compliances, there is no need to be afraid , the reason the ECR Machine is to be installed at the entrance of every business place eligible to pay the GST
Mr. Turay said the law makes it compulsory for customers to demand receipt for every goods they buy
North- West Consortium representative Komrabai said the importance of tax cannot be overemphasized for a country like Sierra Leone and Kambia district is strategic towards revenue generation
He called on  the NRA to extend their tax education to the remote part of the country as there is a large tax paying community without much knowledge on the GST.
Moses Mambu, Communications Director for the Consortium summoned it up all when he stated that the country’s donor dependency will drastically reduce if people are committed to meeting their tax obligations.
When this happens, he noted government will have less difficulty in running it day to day affairs
The session ended with questions and answers from participants
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