Pacific Polytech Students and Lecturers Urged to Sign Up for our Online Portal

In a recent education and awareness session at the Pacific Polytech Institute of Technology in Labasa, our team urged the students and lecturers to sign up on our Taxpayer Online Service (TPOS) for convenience and ease of conducting business with FRCS.

Our Team has increasingly enhanced tax literacy around the country. At the Pacific Polytech Institute, they informed the students and lecturers about the vital role that the FRCS plays in Fiji’s economic development, tax compliance, VAT, how to sign up on TPOS and its benefits and other tax related issues. It was an interactive session where our team answered all queries. Should you need any assistance with tax and customs education and awareness programs, please contact us on 3243000 or 1326 or info@frcs.org.fj.

ABF Provides Operational Command Training at FRCS

The Australian Border Force (ABF) in Fiji, in partnership with the ABF College (Compliance, Investigations & Trade Faculty) delivered an Operational Command Training Course at FRCS, as part of the ABF’s priority to support the Pacific on enhancing and strengthening border security in the region, by providing capacity building and mentoring support.

The Course is aimed to provide participants with a sound understanding of the operational command principles, the appreciation process for planning operations and enforcement responses, risk assessments, delivering operational orders and understanding the pressures of working within an operational environment.

It provides officers with the knowledge and tools to plan, lead and execute operations in a border enforcement environment.

Participants will be equipped with a generic set of operational planning principles to help their organisation to work effectively in both routine matters and planned and unplanned operations.

They will be provided with a toolkit for operational planning and practices, which supports border agencies to manage operations and incidents. Having officers from a range of different agencies including FRCS, Fiji Police Force, Republic of Fiji Navy, Fiji Transnational Crime Unit, Solomon Islands Customs and Excise Division and Solomon Islands Immigration Division provided the agencies with the opportunity to network and understand various operational approaches and the importance of whole of government coordination and international cooperation.

ABF Superintendent (Pacific Offshore Network) Uriah Turner said: ‘we are excited to partner with the FRCS on this training program. We are continually working together to enhance our partnerships and operational planning and border security is a priority focus for the Governments of Australia and Fiji as referenced in the Vuvale Partnership. We look forward to working with Fiji on future initiatives to help reinforce the integrity of our borders.’

FRCS Holds Tax Day

This morning, FRCS hosted the Tax Day celebrations under the theme “The Evolution of Tax and its Role in Building a Prosperous Society.” This marks the second Tax Day observed by FRCS in the past 12 years, commemorating the history of taxation in Fiji and honoring all those who have contributed to its development.

During the event, FRCS CEO, Mr. Udit Singh, shared insights into Fiji’s taxation history. According to records in Ronald Derrick’s book ‘A History of Fiji’ (1950), the earliest recorded tax in Fiji was imposed by individual chiefs during the establishment of the General Assembly in Levuka in 1865.

Mr. Singh highlighted significant milestones in Fiji’s tax legislation, noting that the first tax law was the Income Tax Ordinance 1920, followed by the Income Tax Act 1974. A pivotal moment occurred from 1988 to 1992 with the implementation of the Value Added Tax (VAT) on July 1, 1992.

In 2003, there was a transition from the Tax Information System (TIS) to the Fiji Integrated Tax System (FITS). Furthermore, on April 5, 2023, FRCS announced the successful completion of its latest digital system, the Taxpayer Online Service (TPOS).

In addition to the informative sessions, the celebration featured various activities catering to all age groups, including coloring, poster, and essay competitions. It is important that our children know the critical role taxes play from a young age. It is our intention to mark Tax Day annually with a wider audience and activities.

FRCS conducts Tax and Customs awareness for Students

Our Education Team successfully wrapped up a series of education and awareness programs on tax and customs for students at the Careers Expos held at the Nasinu Muslim College in Suva and the Fiji Girmit Centre in Lautoka.
 
With the view that tax and customs literacy for students is an investment in the future, our team informed the students on the vital role of FRCS, importance of taxation and customs in accelerating the economic development, protecting our borders and its benefits to all Fijians.
 
Understanding taxes enhances compliance, however despite its importance, there remains a gap in tax education which leaves many students unprepared for the real-world implications of tax laws and policies.
 
FRCS has been increasingly enhancing tax and customs education and awareness for students and youths in an effort to lay groundwork for informed and compliant citizens. For more information and assistance, please contact us on 3243000 or 1326 or info@frcs.org.fj.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) met with our Customs team

Recently, a team from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) including the Regional Director Ms. Irene Serry and Ms. Shannon Needle met with our Customs team.
The visit of the CBSA to Fiji marked a significant milestone in our pursuit of strategic partnerships and information exchange. During their meeting, fruitful discussions were held with our Customs team, laying the groundwork for a potential collaboration aimed at bolstering intelligence sharing efforts.
 
The prospect of forging ties with Canada holds immense promise towards diversifying our network of allies and strengthening bilateral relations. With Canada poised to become a key partner in intelligence sharing, this development assumes heightened importance, particularly considering the growing volume of direct flights from Vancouver and the seasonal influx of yachts during the yachting season.
 
This partnership will enhance our collective capacity to address emerging security challenges and safeguard our shared interests. As we prepare to embark on this journey of collaboration, the potential benefits extend far beyond intelligence sharing alone, offering a platform for cultural exchange, economic cooperation, and shared progress. In bridging the gap between tradition and modernity, Fiji and Canada are now setting the stage for a new chapter in bilateral relations, one defined by synergy, partnership, and mutual respect.

FRCS met with the Sangam College of Nursing and Health Care Education’s Acting Head of School

FRCS met with the Sangam College of Nursing and Health Care Education’s Acting Head of School, Ms. Mereseini Kamunaga to discuss strategies to further enhance tax education and promote voluntary compliance through collaboration and partnership with the College.



It is imperative to equip students with essential knowledge about taxes prior to their entry into the workforce as this will not only enrich their understanding but also encourage a culture of voluntary compliance.



FRCS has been holding meetings with universities and other tertiary institutions in Fiji including the Ministry of Education FIJI to establish a more informed and educated platform for our youths on tax and customs.

Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs Regional Director Pacific, Mr. Andrew Rice paid a courtesy visit to our CEO Mr. Udit Singh

Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs Regional Director Pacific, Mr. Andrew Rice paid a courtesy visit to our CEO Mr. Udit Singh. During the meeting, Mr. Rice discussed his role, the assistance provided by the Australian Border Force (ABF) to FRCS and the future activities of the Oceania Customs Organisation. FRCS appreciates the Australian Government and ABF’s assistance and ongoing support to the Service.

FRCS Recruits Final Batch of Additional Staff  

The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) is recruiting the final batch of 35 out of  106 additional staff that was announced by FRCS last year as part of Fit for Purpose initiative.

Vacancies advertised under the Fit for Purpose initiative are limited to the internal staff and employees who had exited FRCS in 2020 and 2021 due to redundancy and non-renewal of contracts. However, if these positions remain unfilled, FRCS will seek to recruit for these roles externally.

The final batch of recruitment includes 35 positions from various Divisions in FRCS including Taxation, Border, Corporate, Internal Assurance and Intelligence, Compliance, and Investigations (ICI).

The increased staff will enhance the efficiency of FRCS’s services. As part of the restructuring in 2020 and 2021, FRCS reduced its workforce from approximately 870 employees to 570. Many of these employees have been re-recruited during the first and second Fit for Purpose vacancies.

Advertisements for the final batch of recruitment close on Friday, 31 May 2024. Interested individuals can contact our People, Capability and Culture (PCC) team for further information and assistance or visit our website on this LINK.