Liberia, Republic of

Goods and services tax (GST)

GST is imposed on:

• every taxable supply by a registered manufacturer and every taxable import of goods and
• every supply of taxable services by a registered services provider.

The general rate of GST has increased from 10% to 12%.

Value-added tax (VAT) is expected to be rolled out on or before 1 July 2026. This will replace GST.

Import duties

Import and export duties are based on the Customs Tariff.

Import duties are specific (based on volume) for some commodities and ad valorem (based on cost, insurance, and freight value) for others. Specific duties apply to food, beverages, petroleum products, and certain rubber products.

Excise tax

Excise tax is a commodity-based tax imposed on the production and importation of excisable goods in Liberia. The tax is levied on commodities such as alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, tobacco and tobacco products, luxury goods, and gambling products, among others.

Real estate taxes

Real estate taxes are imposed on each parcel of unimproved land and improved land (rates are imposed depending on the classification).

Transfer taxes

Every person who has acquired title to real property subject to assessment and taxation must file a schedule of such property, including its location, lot number, designation, and actual amount paid for the property.

This will enable the authority to assess the value of the property.

Stamp taxes

An official revenue stamp is required to validate a notary’s attestation by the ministry through a credential notary public at a flat rate of 10 Liberian dollars (LRD) or otherwise determined by the authority. Moreover, administrative fees are payable on specific transactions.

Environmental taxes

There are no environmental taxes in Liberia.

Payroll taxes

Registered businesses with employees are required by law to withhold taxes on a pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) basis from their employees’ salaries and benefits (in cash) monthly. The tax rate applicable to natural persons is determined in accordance with the set rate schedule, ranging from 0% to a rate of 25% of annual income.

Employers are to remit the withheld taxes to the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) on or before the 10^th day of the subsequent month to avoid penalties and interest.

All non-residents have a flat income tax rate of 15%. This has recently been amended to 20%.

Find below the tax table for resident natural persons:

Social security contributions

Every employer with one or more employees is responsible to pay social security in Liberia at a rate of 10% of gross income on behalf of employees. Expats are not exempted from social security. The National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP) is the administrative body of social security in Liberia. The social security contribution is structured into the pension, injury, and welfare schemes (note that the welfare scheme has not been launched). The employer contributes 6% (4% pension and 2% injury) while the employee contributes 4% to the pension scheme.