By Fatou Dahaba
The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) introduced its new Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS) to accountants during a sensitisation workshop at the Bakadaji Hotel. This cutting-edge, web-based platform marks a significant step in modernizing tax administration, replacing the outdated GAMTAXNET system with a streamlined solution for online tax registration, filing, and payment.
Funded by the World Bank under the Gambia Fiscal Management Development Programme (GMDP) and supported by partners like the International Monetary Fund (IMF), ITAS aims to transform how taxpayers, including businesses and individuals, interact with the GRA. The system allows users to complete tax-related processes remotely, eliminating the need to visit GRA offices, thus enhancing convenience and efficiency.
Commissioner General Yankuba Darboe, addressing the workshop, emphasized the system’s role in shaping the future of tax administration in The Gambia. “The success of ITAS depends on the people who use it,” Darboe stated, highlighting the critical role of accountants as primary facilitators of tax compliance for businesses. “Your understanding and feedback are paramount to its success.”
Darboe described ITAS as a system built on principles of service, transparency, and integrity. He urged participants to champion the platform, noting its importance not only for taxpayers but also for fostering a robust economic environment. The system is designed to reduce compliance burdens, minimize opportunities for fraud and corruption, and boost domestic revenue mobilization to support national development.
Deputy Commissioner General Essa Jallow echoed Darboe’s sentiments, stressing the need for modernization amid rising administrative and compliance costs. “Today’s workshop is not just about understanding ITAS but embracing a new way of thinking about tax compliance and administration,” Jallow said. He highlighted the system’s focus on transparency, efficiency, and accountability, which will simplify operations, reduce errors, and improve services for taxpayers and their advisors.
The introduction of ITAS aligns with broader fiscal reforms aimed at empowering citizens to understand their tax obligations while ensuring a fair and accessible tax system. By leveraging modern technology, the GRA seeks to create a more equitable framework that supports both taxpayers and the national economy.
The workshop marks the beginning of a series of stakeholder engagements to familiarize users with ITAS and its benefits. As The Gambia moves toward digital transformation, the GRA’s initiative signals a commitment to building a transparent and efficient tax ecosystem that supports sustainable development.
With ITAS, the GRA aims to set a new standard for tax administration, fostering trust and collaboration between taxpayers and the authority. As the system rolls out, its success will hinge on the active participation of accountants and other stakeholders in embracing this digital leap forward.
