November 18, 2024 3 min read Share:

FRCS Educates Tertiary Students on Tax and Customs

With the view that tax and customs literacy for youths is an investment in the future, our Education team have been visiting tertiary institutions and conducting education and awareness programs on these. Recently, the team visited the Navuso Agriculture Technical Institute in Naitasiri and the Fiji National University (FNU) Campus in Nasinu, Nadi and Natabua in Lautoka. The students learnt about the vital role of FRCS, importance of taxation and customs in accelerating the economic development, protecting our borders and its benefits to all Fijians. They also acquired knowledge on tax laws and regulations, taxpayer obligations and the importance of compliance, tax systems and income tax deductions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They found the education program beneficial in enhancing their knowledge of financial planning as many of them wish to engage in commercial farming or operating small business. The sessions were very interactive with students asking several questions and seeking assistance on various tax and customs related issues. FRCS has been increasingly enhancing tax and customs education and awareness for students and youths to lay groundwork for informed and compliant citizens. This is a free service provided by FRCS and people interested in our education and awareness programs can contact us on 3243000 or 1326 or email on info@frcs.org.fj.

 
November 18, 2024 2 min read Share:

FRCS Reaches Out to People in Remote Areas

FRCS has been enhancing tax and customs education and awareness programs to people living in the remote and highland areas, reaching out to the people who may find it difficult to access our services due to their location. Recently, our team conducted business and tax compliance training to 18 people from the Tikina of Nacula which consists of four villages including Nacula, Naisisili, Navotua and Malakati. Nacula is a hilly and volcanic island of the Yasawa Group in Fiji’s Ba Province. It is the third largest and is the second-farthest north in the group of islands.
 
The topics covered during the training included requirements for Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), registration of Income Tax and Value Added Tax (VAT), declaration of income, lodgement and payment of taxes, penalties, tax compliance and record keeping. The 18 trainees were grateful for the training and asked several questions on tax registration and lodgement of tax returns which were answered by our team. FRCS plans to conduct further training, education and awareness on tax and customs in remote and highland areas in the coming months.
November 18, 2024 2 min read Share:

FRCS Holds Meeting with New and Existing (POS/SDC) Vendors

FRCS held a meeting with the new and existing point of sale (POS)/Sales Data Controller (SDC) vendors to update them of the transition of Electronic Fiscal Device (EFD) (VAT Monitoring System) from version 2 to version 3 and the requirements to comply with the version 3. We will be rolling out EFD version 3 by the end of December 2024. All accredited EFD vendors will be required to re-accredit and comply with the requirements for EFD version 3 by the end of June 2025. These vendors are also required to register on sandbox environment by the end of January 2025. Sandbox accreditation environment will allow the vendors a testing environment for EFD version 3. Should the vendors fail to register for the sandbox by the end of January 2025 or re-accredit by the deadline provided, then FRCS will remove them from this list of accredited vendors.
 
As announced in the 2024/2025 National Budget, effective from 1st August 2024, the VAT Monitoring System has been re-activated. FRCS is committed to work collaboratively with businesses and vendors to achieve successful implementation. For assistance, please email our team on efdenquiry@frcs.org.fj.
November 18, 2024 2 min read Share:

FRCS Conducts Outreach Program in Nadarivatu

Our Ba team conducted a two-week outreach program in Nadarivatu in partnership with the Ba and Nadarivatu District Administration Offices. During this period, our team visited Nadarivatu High School, and the villages located remotely and in the highlands. The team served and assisted hundreds of people in the area with registration of Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), Joint ID Card and other tax and customs services requested by the people to enhance economic activity in Nadarivatu as the area has potential for logging business.
 
This was an excellent opportunity for FRCS to take our services to the people living in remote and highland areas and have difficulty in accessing our services. One of our strategic objectives is to become a customer centric organization. Our team will be conducting more awareness and outreach programs in the coming months in collaboration with other government agencies.
November 18, 2024 2 min read Share:

FRCS Holds Customs Brokers Forum

FRCS held a forum for the Customs Brokers and the authorised clerks to keep them abreast of the latest developments to the Customs licensing process and other pertinent Customs issues. Customs Brokers are one of the key partners of FRCS and play a vital role in ensuring that import-export operations are managed effectively and in compliance with the laws.
 
The forum focused on several important topics including tariff opinion, advance ruling, code of conduct, changes in the Customs licensing process, findings from the recent time release study, continuous professional development program (CPD) and demerit points. FRCS has implemented a continuous professional development program for the Customs Brokers which is currently provisional but from 1st January 2025 it will be in force for 3 years. CPD will be one of the mandatory criteria for renewal of their license.
 
It was an interactive forum where the participants were provided with the opportunity to ask questions, provide feedback and share ideas. FRCS deeply values its partnership with the Customs Brokers and is committed to listening and learning from their insights, just as much as the Service is committed to sharing updates and strategies with them.
November 15, 2024 4 min read Share:

FRCS Engages with Businesses and Stakeholders in the Northern Division

As part of its strategy to further strengthen collaboration and to grow a trusted partnership with stakeholders and businesses, the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) organised forums, proactively engaged and visited business houses in the Northern Division.

FRCS held forums in Labasa and Savusavu which were attended by tax and customs agents, members from the Labasa Chamber of Commerce and representatives from Cooperatives in Savusavu.

The theme for the forum was “Collaboration for Compliance: Strengthening Partnership between Agents and FRCS” and the discussions during the forum featured several pertinent issues related to tax and customs including enhancing voluntary compliance, 2024/2025 National Budget revenue policies, tax incentives and duty concessions and re-activation of the VAT Monitoring System (VMS) from 1st August 2024.

FRCS CEO, Mr. Udit Singh, executive management and senior managers also took this opportunity to conduct stakeholder consultations in the Northern Division. While in Labasa, they met with the team from Kashmir Transport Ltd, Food Processors Fiji- Batiri Farm, quarry as well as other farming projects. In Savusavu, the team met with the Assistant Project Manager of the Nawi Island Resort to discuss the progress of development of the project and how FRCS can help. Our team was extremely impressed with the developments in both towns which are enhancing the Northern economy.

Labasa and Savusavu have 97,626 registered taxpayers and the total number of registered businesses in both towns is 13,824. These businesses include 8037 sole traders, 790 companies, 292 partnerships, 155 cooperatives and the remaining are other businesses which have generated approximately $57 million tax revenue from 2022 to 2024.

According to Mr. Singh, it was extremely impressive to see the economic growth in the Northern Division.

“The Fiji Government’s Look North policy has seen a consistent focus and development in the Northern Division, and we can see that the economic activity and development in the North is increasing significantly over the years,” he said.

In line with its Strategic Plan 2023/2025, FRCS is committed to maintain its focus as being a customer centric organisation.

“Central to this is our commitment to listen, gather feedback, implement improvements to the business processes not only focused on enhancing customer experience but also reducing the cost of doing business and closing any tax gaps,” Mr. Singh.

During their meetings and visits to the businesses in the North, Mr. Singh and the FRCS executive team had discussions on the tax and customs issues and the challenges faced by the taxpayers. The FRCS team  assured them on working together on pragmatic solutions for the challenges.

“If we are to form a trusted partnership – we need to understand the concerns of the businesses and assist them. This is because we want these businesses to flourish and grow and FRCS wants to enable this growth as the growth of these businesses will contribute to increased revenue and economic growth for Fiji,” Mr. Singh stated.

Ends

FRCS MEDIA CONTACT:  Email: publicrelations@frcs.org.fj  – Phone: (679) 3243035.

 

October 25, 2024 4 min read Share:

FRCS Strengthens Collaboration With Agents

The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) held a forum for tax and customs agents in Suva and Nadi as part of its strategy to further strengthen collaboration and to grow a trusted partnership with the agents. This was the first time for FRCS to hold the tax and customs agent’s forum together. Both tax and customs agents are essential pillars of FRCS operations.

The theme for the forum was “Collaboration for Compliance: Strengthening Partnership between Agents and FRCS.”

FRCS CEO, Mr. Udit Singh stated that FRCS recognises that both tax and customs agents are our key partners in the administration of Fiji’s tax and customs systems, encouraging and enforcing compliance in Fiji.

“Tax agents play a key role in Fiji’s taxation system in ensuring that their clients are fully aware of their rights and obligations and are complaint with the tax laws of Fiji. Similarly, customs agents function as a vital link between traders and Customs administration, bringing a wealth of expertise in customs laws and a deep understanding of the supply chain industry. They are also responsible for managing risk associated with customs compliance,” Mr. Singh said.

Representatives from tax and customs agents also made presentations in the forum. While presenting for the tax agents, Senior Partner, BDO Fiji, Mr. Pardeep Patel stated cooperation between tax agents and FRCS is critical for a well-functioning tax system and ensuring correct tax collection. According to Mr. Patel, tax authorities and tax agents both play critical roles for improved compliance with tax laws and for efficient tax functioning and for equitable tax system overall.

“For this relationship to be effective, it is essential that tax authorities are flexible and responsive to the needs of tax agents. By improving communication, streamlining procedures, and offering timely support, tax authorities can better serve both tax agents and the taxpayer they represent,” he said.

Representative of the customs agents, Mr. Ruwel Lal, highlighted the need for continuous engagement between FRCS and customs brokers as one of the ways to strengthen collaboration between the two agencies.

FRCS team also provided updates on the 2024-2025 National Budget revenue policies and the reactivation of the VAT Monitoring System (VMS) from 1st August 2024.

Mr Singh assured everyone that extensive consultation and administrative support will be provided to ensure a smooth transition to VMS.

 “We will host educational seminars, taxpayer and vendor meetings, and discussion forums to address any concerns and challenges. FRCS is committed to collaborating with taxpayers, agents, and vendors to achieve successful implementation and as usual your cooperation is vital in ensuring the efficiency and integrity of Fiji’s tax administration system,” he said.

Mr. Singh stated that it is very important that people take compliance seriously.

“It is indisputable that good tax and customs agents have a positive impact on tax and customs compliance. We need your help to collaborate with us to enhance tax and customs compliance in Fiji as the tax, duty and tariff revenues support our government to make significant changes through the national budget, to infrastructure, to health, to education and all the other government priorities,” he said.

October 16, 2024 2 min read Share:

National Time Release Study Report 2023

FRCS in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MOHMS), the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF), and the Fiji Ports Terminal Limited successfully conducted the Time Release Study (TRS) at the Suva and Lautoka sea ports to measure the time taken for the release and clearance of imported goods. The TRS is a method developed by the World Customs Organisation (WCO) to measure Customs performance in clearing international vessels, aircraft and cargoes. It is an important aspect to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of border procedures and enhance ease of doing business.

Click on this link to access the National Time Release Study 2023 https://frcs.org.fj/our-services/customs/national-time-release-study-report-2023/.