LRA Practitioner Training Module

XII
Real Property Taxation

LRA
Monrovia
2021
CONTENTS

1. Legal Basis (Slide 4)

2. Filing (Slides 5-6)
3. Exempt (Slides 7-8)
4. Payment (Slides 9-10)
5. Penalties (Slides 11-16)
6. Interest (Slides 17-20)
7. Records (Slide 21)

2
CONTENTS

8. Assessments (Slides 17-21)

9. Re-assessment (Slide 22)
10. Depreciation (Slide 23)
11. Notice (Slides 24-25)
12. Determination (Slide 26)
13. Closure (Slide 27)
14. Lien (Slide 28)
15. Seizure and Sale (Slide 29)

3
1.1 Legal Basis: Taxation

• Every person is obliged to pay the taxes for which the

person is liable.

• No one may be required to pay taxes that are not provided

for by the Liberia Revenue Code.
2.1 Filing: Real Property tax requirement

• Real Property tax covers the period from January 1st to and
including December 31st of each year and it is paid once a year.

• Tax on Real Property is levied annually and imposed upon each

parcel of land not exempt from taxation at a stated percentage
rate prescribed depending upon its geographical classification for
unimproved land..

• Tax on Real Property is levied annually and imposed upon each

parcel of land not exempt from taxation at a stated percentage
rate of its assessed value depending upon the use classification of
the building and other improvements thereon for improved land.
2.2 Filing: Real Property tax requirement & due date

• Real property owners are required to obtain a Tax Identification

Number (‘TIN”) and in no case may a resident obtain more than
one TIN. No taxpayer is charged a fee for obtaining a TIN.

• Real property owners are required to submit schedule of

property after the acquisition of the property.

• Schedule of property for the purpose of real property tax must

be submitted within 30 days after the acquisition of the
property.
3.1 Exempt: Properties Exempt from Real Property Taxes

• All public land, buildings and other improvements owned by the

Government of Liberia;

• Properties owned by churches, religious societies, and foreign and

domestic missions, educational institutions, charitable organizations,
and fraternal organizations; provided that the property is used for
religious, educational, charitable, or fraternal purposes and not for
profit; and provided further that the property is not rented or leased
except to another organization whose property is exempt from real
property taxes;

• All properties held by the University of Liberia;

3.2 Exempt: Properties Exempt from Real Property Taxes

• All properties of foreign governments on lands leased from or

deeded by the Republic of Liberia;

• All property which is exempt from real property tax under the
terms of statutes, treaties or agreements passed or entered into by
the Government of the Republic of Liberia, provided that the
property is held and used in accordance with any conditions
contained in such statutes, treaties or agreements.
4.1 Payment: Payment of tax & due date

A tax payment is considered to have been made in a timely

manner if it is received within the due date.

Due date for the payment of tax is as follow:

• Real Estate tax January 1 to July 1st

Tax payment is due no later than 5:00 p.m. on the due date of
each tax return.
4.2 Payment: Extension of time to pay tax

A taxpayer can apply in writing for an extension of time to

make tax payments.

Upon application in writing by a taxpayer required to make a

tax payment, the Commissioner General may, where good
cause is shown, extend the period within which a tax payment
can be made and may impose requirements appropriate to
ensure the payment of the tax due.

The extension alter the due date for payment of tax, he/she
will be required to pay the interest on delayed tax payments.
5.1 Penalties: General introduction

• Taxpayers are subject to penalties if they do not pay the correct tax
liability within due date.

• Financial penalties/fines for tax offences are imposed by the tax

administration.

• Criminal penalties are generally imposed by public

prosecutors/courts.

• Penalties are levied to encourage taxpayers to comply with their

tax obligations in an accurate and timely manner.

• Penalties are not intended to generate revenue but to discourage

non-compliance.
5.2 Penalties: Penalties under the LRC

• Penalty is levied on failure to pay correct tax liability within

due date.

• It serves as a deterrent to any non-compliance for tax liability

payment within due date.

• It encourages timely payment on tax liability within due date

and avoids huge arrears.
5.3 Penalties: Late payment of tax amount

• A taxpayer is subject to late penalty of 5% each month if correct

tax payment is not made within the required due date, on or before
July 31st of the year in which it is levied.

• Late penalty of 5% each month is imposed commencing on August

1st of the year in which it is levied.

• For each additional month that the delay continues, an additional

5% penalty is imposed on the unpaid remain tax amount.

• The total penalty is not permitted to exceed 25% in the aggregate

tax amount.
5.4 Penalties: Calculation of penalty for failure to
pay
Let us suppose that “XYZ” failed to pay its Real Property tax amount of
US$300.00 for the period January 1st to July 31st 2021 on time and pays on
September 1, 2021. In this case, it will be subject to a penalty due to failure to
pay (on or before July 31st ) at the rate of 5% of tax liability each month as
follows.
• Taxpayer: XYZ
• Tax amount: US$300.00
• Due date for payment: July 1st
• Tax paid on: September1, 2021
• Late penalty: 5% of tax amount for each month
Penalty is calculated as follow: 
Tax amount x Penalty Rate x Number of Months
US$300.00 x 0.05 = US$15.00 or
US$300.00 x 0.25 x 1/5 = US$15.00
Tax amount US$300.00
Penalty 5% (for August) US$ 15.00
Total due US$315.00
6.3 Interest: Late payment of tax amount

• A taxpayer is subject to interest charged if correct tax payment

is not made within the required due date, on or before July 1st
of the year in which it is levied.

• Interest is imposed commencing on July 2nd of the year in

which it is levied.

• Interest is calculated on each successive month on the unpaid

tax amount.
6.4 Interest: Calculation of interest for failure to pay

Let us suppose that "ABC” failed to pay its Real Property tax amount of
US$300.00 from January 1st to July 1st on time and pays on August 2, 2021. In the
case where the market rate as published by the Central Bank of Liberia during
this period was 15.35%.
• Taxpayer: ABC
• Tax amount: US$300.00
• Due date for payment: July 1st
• Tax paid on: August 2, 2021
• Interest charged: 15.35% of tax amount for each successive month
Interest is calculated as follow: 
Tax amount x 15.35% x Number of Months
US$300.00 x 0.1535 x 1/12 = US$3.84
Tax amount US$300.00
Interest 15.35% (from July 2 – August 1) US$ 3.84
Total due US$303.84
11.1 Assessments: Tax Payable

An assessment of tax payable by a person with Real Property is done by the

following means:

By Self-assessment:

• In the form of the taxpayer’s statement of tax due for a tax year. The
taxpayer declares the value of his/her property, through self-declaration,
subject to taxation on the basis of valuation, whether improved or
unimproved.

By Appraisal of Certified Tax Firm:

• In the form of the taxpayer’s statement of tax due for a tax year. The
taxpayer declares the value of his/her property, through a certified tax
appraisal firm, subject to taxation on the basis of valuation, whether
improved or unimproved.
11.2 Assessments: Jeopardy

If the Commissioner General has reasonable grounds to believe

payment of tax is in jeopardy or at risk, he shall provide by
making a jeopardy assessment in order to ensure compliance.
11.3 Assessments: Real Property Assessment at
Market Value on Inspection
Each parcel of land, subject to assessment and taxation, shall be inspected and its
assessed value determined on the basis of its market value as at the date of
inspection. Such assessed value shall be carried on the real property assessment
record books kept by the Commissioner General for a period of 5 years from the
date such valuation becomes operative in accordance with the following:

• Determination on or before June 15th . When the assessed value of a parcel of

land is determined hereunder and notice thereof is given to the taxpayer on or
before June 15th in any calendar year, the operative date shall be January 1 st of
the then current calendar year.

• Determination after June 15th . When the assessed value of a parcel of land is
determined hereunder and notice thereof is given to the taxpayer after June 15 th
in any calendar year, the operative date shall be January 1 st of the succeeding
calendar year.
11.4 Assessments: Real Property Assessment at
Market Value on Inspection
• Exception when newly completed structures are involved. When newly
constructed improvements on a parcel of land are completed, either fully, or to
the extent that the new construction is being used or can be used for the purpose
for which it was constructed, a determination shall be made of the assessed
value of the parcel on the basis of its market value as at the date of inspection.

• In the event the assessed value becomes operative on or after February 1 st in any
calendar year, the appropriate real property tax shall be levied on the parcel
involved for the remainder of the calendar year at the rate of one-twelfth of the
annual tax based on such assessed value for each month or fraction of a month
of the then current calendar year remaining, and the assessed value shall be
carried on the real property assessment books for a period of 5 years from
January 1st of the succeeding calendar year.
11.5 Assessments: Real Property Assessment at
Market Value on Inspection

• In the event such construction is completed and the assessed

value becomes operative on or before January 31st in any
calendar year, then the real property tax to be levied on such
parcel for such calendar year shall be the whole of the annual
tax based on the assessed value and the assessed value shall
be carried on the real property assessment books for a period
of 5 years from January 1st of the then current calendar year.
12.1 Reassessment: Real Property Reassessment of 5-
Year Term at Market Value
• Prior to the termination of any 5 year term during which the assessed value of a parcel of
land, based upon market value, is carried on the real property assessment record books, a re-
inspection of such parcel shall be made and a re-assessment of its assessed value shall be
determined upon the basis of its then market value.

• The assessed value so determined upon such re-assessment shall be carried on the real
property assessment record books for an additional 5 year term when notice thereof is given
to the taxpayer on or before June 15th of the succeeding calendar year.

• If no re-assessment of the assessed value of the parcel of land is so determined, then the
prior assessed value shall continue as the basis for the levying of the annual rental property
tax thereon, except that a taxpayer, on or before June 15th of any year subsequent to the
termination of any 5 year term, may serve and file an administrative appeal requesting a
review of the assessed value of the parcel.

• A re-assessment of the assessed value of a parcel of land based on its market value may be
made by the Commissioner General at any given time subsequent to the termination of any 5
year term.
13.1 Depreciation: Determination of Depreciation for
Real Property
• The determination of depreciation for real property is the use of the Economic Age-Life
Method for straight-line depreciation.

• The Economic Age-Life of a building, as per regulation, is 50 years.

• The Effective Age, the period in which an asset is depreciated, as per regulation, is 15 years.

• To determine the depreciation rate of the building or property can attract over 15 years is
defined by the ratio of effective age to total economic life.
That is,
Depreciation Rate = Effective Age/Total Economic Life
15 years/50 years = 30%

• The 30% represents a total depreciation rate of a building or property can attract over 15
years. This means 30% rate is to be spread over a 15 year period such that the annual
depreciation rate becomes 2%, which is 30%/15 years.

• This indicates that the Effective Age of the building is 30% of its Economic Life
That is, Effective Age of the building = 0.30 x 50 years = 15 years
14.1 Notice: Property Tax Bills (Assessment Notice)

Real Property Tax Notice - a notification to taxpayer on the amount of annual

tax levied as a result of an assessment.

The Notice provides the following information:

• Property Identification Number (PIN) – a number assigned to each property

to identify it for assessment and taxation purposes. It is located in the upper
left portion of the Assessment and Tax Notice.

• Owner of property – the persons who owns the property.

• Location of property – Clear description of where the property is located

• Issue date of the Notice – the date the Notice is issued.

• Current valuation – is the current assessed true value of the property.

14.2 Notice: Property Tax Bills (Assessment Notice)

• Applicable tax rate – is the rate applied on an assessed value and

payable as property tax.

• Tax for the year – an assessment of real property at its real and true
value.

• Arrears – an arrears due is an unpaid taxes and/or interest and

penalty from previous years.

• Balance due – the current taxes due and payable including tax
arrears.

• Tax Statements – an advice issue to inform taxpayer that payment

is past due.
15.1 Determination: Notice of Determination

• All determinations or decisions made by the Commissioner

General is subject to procedures.

• When a notice of determination is issued to taxpayer for tax due

for a tax period including penalty and interest, that
determination becomes final, 30 days after the date of the notice
of determination.

• The date of the notice of determination is determined from the

date that it is delivered in person to the taxpayer (or the
taxpayer’s agent), or the date it is sent (by an approved delivery
services such as DHL, EMS and any other services designated.
16.1 Closure: Temporary Closure of Business

• When a taxpayer fails to pay tax on the due date and, after
receiving a 72-hour warning notice, fails to contact the LRA to
make arrangements for payment, or for the purpose of spot audit,
or is unable upon request to present books and records for
inspection as required, the Commissioner General may lock and
seal the person’s place of business and keep it closed for not
more than 5 days for the purpose of examination of taxpayer
records, audit, and provision of advice to the taxpayer
concerning compliance with tax obligations; and the decision of
the Commissioner General to do so is a determination and
subject to the emergency hearing procedure for taxpayer protest.
17.1 Lien: Lien for Taxes

• If the tax debtor fails to pay tax that is due and payable as stated in an
assessment notice, a tax lien is created in favor of the Government of Liberia
upon the property of a tax debtor.

• For a lien to be created/perfected, the Commissioner General must served the

tax debtor with a notice in writing specifying the tax debtor, the tax debtor’s
tax identification number, the property subject to the lien, the extent of the lien
(the principal amount of the tax due plus interest accruing and any other costs
of lien and sale), the tax to which the lien relates, details regarding the
Commissioner General power to sell property subject to the lien, and a
statement of the taxpayer’s rights.

• The lien must be effected, in the case of land and buildings, the Commissioner
General files an application to register the lien by applying to the court of
proper jurisdiction and wherein the court shall, without fee, register the lien
referred to on the title of the land or buildings.
18.1 Seizure & Sale: Seizure and Sale of Assets

• The Commissioner General may notify a tax debtor (owner of property/person in

custody of the property) in writing of the Commissioner General’s intention to
seize and sell property held by the debtor including proposed method and timing
of sale; and for tangible property, the manner and place in which the
Commissioner General intends to take possession of the property, which is
subject to a tax lien.

• The Commissioner General may place the notice on the owner’s business
premises; or if the Commissioner General does not have sufficient information
to identify the person on whom the notice should be served, the Commissioner
General may published the notice in a local daily newspaper (within two days of
seizure) identifying the items seized and stating the location at which seizure
was made.

• The Commissioner General may take possession of the tangible property

referred to in the notice after it is served and may sell the property by public
auction or in such manner as appropriate.
Thank You!