The four members of the Tax Crimes Taskforce have received permission to access taxpayer information, despite existing legal restrictions on such actions. Taskforce chairman Nitin Gandhi has stated that this access was granted through a formal delegation by the CEO of the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS), along with legally-binding memoranda of understanding (MOUs).
Section 52 of the FRCS Act imposes stringent confidentiality measures regarding the sharing of taxpayer information with third parties. Additionally, Section 37 of the Tax Administration Act stipulates that only FRCS officers can access taxpayer records for audits and investigations. Gandhi emphasized that members of the taskforce, who are not FRCS employees, do not possess automatic authorization under the Tax Administration Act and require proper delegation by the CEO or specific authorization under the MOUs to ensure compliance with confidentiality laws.
“The access is lawful only if members act under CEO delegation and confidentiality agreements,” Gandhi clarified. The taskforce is made up of Gandhi, former FRCS chief executive officer Jitoko Tikolevu, anti-corruption expert Avaneesh Anand Raman, and financial risk specialist Pramesh Sharma. They collaborate with eight key agencies, including the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) and the Fiji Police.
Gandhi noted that all taskforce members have signed confidentiality agreements, which bind them to stringent governance rules. These agreements mandate that sensitive information be kept confidential and restrict disclosure to any third party unless explicitly authorized by the CEO or the taskforce chair.
FRCS has also confirmed the establishment of a formal MOU and operational framework that was signed on November 11, 2025. This framework outlines the taskforce’s scope, responsibilities, access rights, and code of conduct. Gandhi stated that this structure is designed to ensure both effective operation and legal compliance.
“We are committed to protecting taxpayer information while strengthening inter-agency collaboration to combat tax crime,” he affirmed. The taskforce operates under the oversight of the FRCS board and CEO, reflecting a dedication to both accountability and the effective handling of tax-related offenses in Fiji.
Leave a comment