IN the 2024-2025 financial year, government’s tax revenue exceeded the budget by $185.6million (5.6 per cent), reaching $3.5billion compared with the forecast of $3.3b.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka highlighted this in The Fiji Times’ ‘A Conversation With The PM’ column, saying this was almost a 12 per cent growth in tax collections compared with $3.1b collected in FY2023-2024 and a 24 per cent growth compared with pre-COVID tax collections.
“This was the highest tax collection in Fiji’s history and reflects the strong business and economic activity we are seeing, the positive revenue impact of various tax policy reforms undertaken by the Coalition Government and strengthened tax compliance by the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS),” Mr Rabuka said.
“FRCS has also recently launched a Compliance Improvement Strategy (CIS) 2025–2028, a strategic commitment to fostering a fairer, more inclusive, and transparent tax system for all Fijians to close the tax gaps.
“The strategy identifies four key areas for strengthening compliance: Registration, filing, accurate reporting, and payment.
“Additionally, it outlines 11 priority compliance segments that require tailored interventions.
“These efforts are underpinned by investments in technology, strategic partnerships, and data analytics.”
He said a joint multi-agency Tax Compliance Taskforce (FICAC, the Fiji Police Force, and the DPP) had been formed to combat serious tax crime and strengthen tax integrity.
“The taskforce targets high-risk taxpayers, investigates serious fraud, and recommends legal and policy reforms.
“Key focus areas include undeclared income, false invoicing, shell companies, asset concealment, and money laundering.”