The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS), in partnership with the Ministry of Finance, has created a Tax Compliance Taskforce aimed at tackling tax evasion and avoidance while enhancing overall tax compliance within Fiji.
The Taskforce is led by Nitin Gandhi, a distinguished Chartered Accountant and FRCS Board Member. Its primary goals include preventing tax evasion, improving tax compliance, and increasing revenue collection through thorough enforcement and strategic collaboration with various agencies and businesses.
The Taskforce’s specific initiatives will include:
– Reviewing and suggesting enhancements to current legislation and processes.
– Analyzing existing methods and developing frameworks for investigating and prosecuting undisclosed income and financial non-compliance.
– Working alongside key agencies to combat tax evasion and financial crimes.
– Using evidence-based information from diverse sources to bolster investigations.
– Ensuring the protection of revenue and adherence to legal standards.
– Upholding strict data privacy and security measures.
In addition to Gandhi, the Taskforce comprises notable experts, including Jitoko Tikolevu (former CEO of Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority), Rusiate Tudravu (former acting Commissioner of Police), governance expert Avaneesh Anand Raman, and financial management specialist Pramesh Sharma. The Taskforce’s mandate is set for an initial period of 12 months, and it aims to ensure the accurate collection of taxes owed through established FRCS processes.
FRCS CEO Udit Singh emphasized that the Taskforce’s efforts will complement, rather than replace, the work of the Commissioner of Tax and various other involved agencies, including the Fiji Financial Intelligence Unit, Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption, and the Fiji Police Force. The Taskforce will also engage with international partners such as Australia and New Zealand to enhance its effectiveness.
Looking ahead, the Taskforce will establish a framework with a clear operational structure and guidelines, along with a memorandum of understanding with other enforcement agencies in the forthcoming months. This collaborative approach is poised to strengthen Fiji’s tax system and safeguard the country’s financial integrity.
This initiative reflects a commitment to fiscal responsibility and aims to create a fairer tax environment, which ultimately benefits all Fijians. By working together with both local and international partners, there is hope for a more transparent and compliant tax system in Fiji, paving the way for the sustainable growth of the country’s economy.
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