Caption: FRCA Advisor, Mr. Pradeep Patel presenting to Tax Agents and FRCA Staff at the Tax Agents Networking Seminar at FRCA Complex.
The Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority will improve its services for small and medium tax agents following consultations with tax agents in Suva last week.
FRCA advisor and Fiji Institute of Accountants representative, Mr Pradeep Patel said the Authority should have plans, initiatives and programmes to guide and support small and medium tax agents and practitioners.
The networking seminar, which was held at the Revenue and Customs Complex in Nasese was aimed towards improving the relationship between FRCA and tax agents.
FRCA Chief Executive Officer, Mr Jitoko Tikolevu reminded the agents of the importance of their roles.
“You are our link to taxpayers and you must carry out your role with honesty and integrity,” Mr Tikolevu said.
“FRCA will be undertaking a Tax Agent Risk Profiling of tax agents. I hope you understand that we also need to ensure the credibility of tax agents.”
Mr Tikolevu added that there have been cases where tax agents had manipulated books for the benefit of their clients.
“We are currently investigating fraud of FRCA receipts, CEC stamp for waiver of penalties,” he said.
“We must all remember that taxes are not fines but rather the cost of benefitting from the public services offered by the Government.”
Meanwhile, Mr Patel has urged FRCA to consider establishing a full time secretariat for tax agents, which would support and assist tax agents, in particular the small and medium tax agents.
Mr Patel also asked the Authority to differentiate between taxpayers who are trying to comply, and those who do not.
“Similarly, FRCA should differentiate between the tax agents who are operating professionally, diligently, and those reckless and evasive operators.
“FRCA must help people comply, and treat them fairly, it should respect taxpayers rights; tax agents’ professional position and professional responsibilities,” Mr Patel said.
FRCA