Fiji Launches Taskforce to Tackle Tax Evasion: What You Need to Know

The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS), in partnership with the Ministry of Finance, has launched a new Tax Compliance Taskforce aimed at combating tax evasion and enhancing compliance in the country. This initiative will help optimize revenue collection and ensure more stringent enforcement of tax regulations.

Nitin Gandhi, a well-respected Chartered Accountant and board member of FRCS, will chair the Taskforce. The key objectives include improving existing laws and processes, revamping investigations for undisclosed income, and fostering collaboration with various agencies to tackle tax crimes effectively. The Taskforce will also make use of evidence-based data to back its investigations, while ensuring robust measures for data privacy and revenue protection.

The Taskforce is made up of notable figures, including Jitoko Tikolevu, former CEO of the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority; Rusiate Tudravu, former acting Commissioner of Police; Avaneesh Anand Raman, an expert in anti-corruption and governance; and Pramesh Sharma, who specializes in risk and financial management. They are appointed for an initial period of 12 months and will work to ensure accurate tax collection through FRCS processes.

According to FRCS CEO Udit Singh, the agency possesses comprehensive information regarding individual income. Singh highlighted that the Taskforce will work alongside existing functions of the Commissioner of Tax and collaborate with various enforcement bodies, including the Fiji Financial Intelligence Unit (FFIU), Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), and the Fiji Police Force, among others. There are also plans for international collaboration with agencies from Australia and New Zealand.

In the upcoming months, the Taskforce will establish a framework outlining its operational guidelines and aims to sign a memorandum of understanding with other enforcement partners.

This new initiative represents a proactive step towards strengthening Fiji’s tax governance framework, fostering a culture of compliance, and ultimately enhancing the country’s economic resilience. By focusing on collaboration and robust enforcement, the Taskforce aims to create a more fair and efficient tax system, benefiting both the government and the citizens of Fiji.