The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) has pointed out ongoing compliance issues across multiple sectors, notably agriculture, wholesale, retail, tourism, and non-profit organizations. During the launch of its 2025-2028 Compliance Improvement Strategy, Rohitesh Dass, manager for Risk Assessment and Financial Intelligence at FRCS, emphasized the necessity of a tailored approach for each sector due to their varying compliance obligations.
The agriculture sector faces significant challenges, including many informal operations, a fragmented supply chain, and issues with income reporting and tax concessions. The FRCS aims to enhance transparency and ensure equitable tax contributions by focusing on key cash supply chains such as tobacco, taro, and dairy.
In the wholesale and retail sectors, there is a high risk of non-compliance particularly related to VAT reporting and cash transactions. Similarly, the tourism sector, crucial for Fiji’s economic growth, grapples with underreporting of income and incorrect VAT claims. Additionally, there has been notable non-compliance among small service providers in the arts, entertainment, and non-profit sectors, where many organizations are reportedly unaware that income from business activities has become taxable due to recent legislative amendments.
This initiative underscores a broader commitment by the FRCS, following the establishment of the Tax Compliance Taskforce in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, which aims to strengthen enforcement and enhance revenue collection across the nation. Efforts include engaging with various stakeholders to tackle tax evasion and improve overall tax compliance which can lead to a better economic environment.
The proactive measures being implemented by the FRCS provide hope for a more transparent and accountable tax system, which not only benefits public services but uplifts the entire Fijian economy. By fostering compliance and addressing these sector-specific issues, the FRCS is laying the foundation for a fairer tax landscape, encouraging all citizens and organizations to contribute their fair share.
Leave a comment