By: Sorie Sesay
The National Revenue Authority, NRA, has started deploying Electronic Cash Register, ECR, machines to business owners across Sierra Leone.
The newly appointed Commissioner-General of the NRA, Abu Martin Kanneh, says the ECR system is aimed at improving sales tracking, increasing compliance with Goods and Services Tax, GST, and making tax collection more effective.
Speaking during the deployment, Commissioner-General Kanneh said he invited members of the press to create awareness about the new ECR machines and help business owners understand how they work.
He said the machines will help reduce direct contact between NRA staff and business owners, especially the practice of NRA officials moving from one business place to another to collect taxes.
According to Kanneh, the ECR machines will also make it easier and faster for business owners to pay their taxes without unnecessary delays.
He explained that the government has procured 10,000 Electronic Cash Register machines to help address some of the challenges affecting tax collection in Sierra Leone.
The Commissioner-General reminded citizens that everyone has a responsibility to contribute to the state through the payment of taxes, while the government also has a responsibility to provide services and protect its citizens.
He encouraged business owners to follow NRA rules and regulations, warning that anyone who violates the law will face appropriate penalties.
Kanneh also emphasised that the official receipt given to customers after every purchase should be the receipt generated by the Electronic Cash Register machine.
He said the deployment will not be limited to Freetown, but will gradually reach other parts of the country.
The Commissioner-General further explained that all ECR machines are connected directly to the NRA system. This will allow the authority to monitor whether business owners are properly using the machines to record sales and calculate taxes.
He also assured business owners that if they experience any problem with the machines, they should report the issue to the NRA instead of refusing to use the system.
