By Archie Boan
Maryland County District #2 Representative Anthony F. Williams has thrown down a direct challenge to Liberia’s tax system, pushing legislation that seeks to remove personal income tax for low-income workers while cutting back on investor tax incentives that have long drained public revenue.
The House of Representatives Plenary has mandated the Committees on Good Governance, Ways, Means and Finance, and Judiciary to review a bill introduced by Rep. Williams to amend Sections 16, 200, 201, and 205 of the Consolidated Tax Amendments to the Revenue Code of Liberia.
Williams’ bill proposes a complete income tax exemption for workers earning US$500 or less, or its Liberian dollar equivalent an intervention he says is aimed at easing pressure on ordinary Liberians struggling under rising living costs and stagnant wages.
Presenting the bill, Rep. Williams argued that Liberia’s tax structure has failed workers while protecting investors through generous waivers and incentives that produce little public benefit. He told Plenary that teachers, health workers, junior civil servants, and low-income private sector employees should not continue to subsidize an economy tilted in favor of large concessionaires and corporate interests.
Crucially, Williams rejected claims that the proposal would weaken government revenue.
He said any losses from raising the tax-free threshold would be offset by suspending and rationalizing investment incentives and tax waivers, many of which he described as outdated, excessive, and poorly monitored.
The lawmaker maintained that the bill does not target investment itself, but rather an incentive regime that allows companies to enjoy tax holidays while the state struggles to fund basic services.
After debate, Plenary unanimously agreed to send the bill to committee level for detailed review, stakeholder engagement, and recommendations before it returns for full legislative consideration.
