Grace period
TAXPAYERS in the west have been given a grace period. This followed Cabinet approval this week for the deferment of Value Added Tax (VAT) lodgements and payments for the months of March, April and May to the last days of the month of July. Taxpayers in the flood-affected areas in the west are now able to lodge the March, April and May VAT returns on the last day of July this year. They can pay their taxes for the months of March, April and May in July as well.
Tax decree
THE chairperson of the Fiji Revenue and Custom Authority has the power to issue or revoke Departure Prohibition Orders. Cabinet approved the Tax Administration (Amendment) (No.2) Decree 2012. The DPO prohibits a person who has a tax or Customs liability from leaving the country. Currently, the order may be issued by the FRCA chief executive. This means chairman, Ajith Kodagoda can now issue the DPO just like the FRCA chief executive, Jitoko Tikolevu.
Self assessment
AN amendment to a decree, will allow a revenue officer to reveal a document or information of registered persons in a public place and disclose the registration status of the registered persons. Cabinet this week approved the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority (Amendment) Decree 2012. Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama said the amendments were essential in order to assist both taxpayers and tax authorities with regards to the implementation of self-assessments.
Card privileges
CABINET has approved the Customs Tariff (Amendment) Decree 2012. The Decree amends the Customs Tariff Act 1986 by prescribing the privileges and incentives provided under the system to Gold Card holders, thereby enabling the implementation of such privileges and incentives. This system is for those companies who have been complying with tax laws. Privileges under the system include international travel through all ports, and privileged services at various Government Agencies. Under international travel through all ports, personal baggage duty free allowance will be up to $2,000 for Gold Card holders, whilst everyone else is $1,000.00.