Airport Departure Tax (ADT) will increase to $140 from today, the Fiji Revenue and Customs Services (FRCS) has announced.
This is part of budget policy changes coming into effect on January 1, 2024 as announced in the Government’s 2023-2024 National Budget delivered last June.
ADT as a revenue earner for the Government jumped sharply from $16.3 million in its 2021-2022 financial year at the height of COVID-19 to $61.3m in 2022-2023, as travel resumed.
The tax was raised to $100 in 2020 and further increased to $125 last June.
Revenue from the latest increase will be reflected in FRC’s 2023-2024 revenue collection, in which it expects ADT to contribute $99.8m.
Other tax policy changes effective today include:
- The Social Responsibility Tax (SRT) to be incorporated into the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax structure along with a 5 per cent reduction for those earning above $270,000;
- To enhance administration in the banking sector, the Resident Interest Withholding Tax (RIWT) exemption on interest income less than $1000 will be removed while the RIWT exception which is available to senior citizens, pensioners, or individuals with a gross annual income of $30,000 will still be available;
- A 40 cents per kilogram/liter domestic excise duty or 15 per cent import excise duty will be levied on sweet biscuits, imported fruits juices, ice cream, snacks obtained by roasting, frying, baking swelling etc. and sugar confectioneries;
- The fees for applications and renewals of tax agents license will be increased as follows: ▪ New applications: $436 to $500 ▪ Renewals: $218 to $350.
