How Might the National Revenue Authority of Sierra Leone Enhance Revenue Collection by Taxing High Net Worth Individuals?

Abstract

In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, increasing domestic revenue mobilisation has become even more of a priority for low-income countries. One of the commonly untapped sources of revenue across many of these countries are high net worth individuals, who usually manage to avoid contributing their fair share of taxes. This is also the case in Sierra Leone, which signalled its intention to develop a strategy to increase compliance of this taxpayer segment in 2019. In this paper we provide an initial assessment of how fit for purpose the current legal setting is, as well as give a general picture of the most likely characteristics of high net worth individuals in the country. Our analysis is based on semi structured interviews with stakeholders from both the public and private sector, and currently available administrative data, and provides a series of suggestions for next steps in the development of a dedicated strategy.