It is estimated that tax evaders owe more than 30 million dollars to the government.
Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority CEO Jitoko Tikolevu said due to tax evasion, money laundering, and funding illegal activities over 300 million dollars has been circulating in the country over the past three years.
He added tax evasion is a huge challenge for the Authority.
Last year the Financial Intelligence Unit received more than 500 suspicious transaction reports from the reporting financial institutions. These reports also include cases where there is suspicion that individuals have wealth that is beyond any explanation.
Tikolevu believes with the introduction of the new unexplained wealth provisions in the Proceeds of the Crime Amendment Decree of 2012 they will be able to deal with this issue.
For the purposes of this Decree, a person has unexplained wealth if the value of the person's total wealth is greater than the value of the person's lawfully acquired wealth.
The change in the law puts the burden of proof on the person to provide a satisfactory explanation to the court as to how he or she was able to maintain such a standard of living or how such resources or property came under his or her control.
Authorities will now have additional powers to forfeit any undeclared income as unexplained wealth.
Previously police needed to investigate to find out how people got the money.
Story by: Ronal Deo
Tax evaders owe more than $30M to the government
Related Stories
We are committed to holding elections – Siromi Turaga
Questions were raised during Dialogue Fiji’s Constitution review discussion on whether the government can delay the general elections and complete the Constitution review however Acting Attorney General Siromi Turaga
Fijian economy on track to grow for fourth consecutive year in 2025 by 3.4%
The Fijian economy is on track to grow for the fourth consecutive year in 2025 by 3.4 percent, following a 3.5 percent expansion in 2024. The growth forecast is revised up marginally from the 3.2 percent projected
Heavy Rain Alert for Eastern Viti Levu, Southern Bua, Cakaudrove, Taveuni and maritime areas
A heavy rain alert is now in force for the eastern half of Viti Levu (Navua–Suva–Nausori to Serua–Namosi to Tailevu–Naitasiri–Ra areas), southern Bua, Cakaudrove, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, the Lau an
We need to dismantle criminal enterprises, hitting them where it hurts most - Speaker
Speaker of Parliament, Filimone Jitoko has highlighted during the opening of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Conference that there is a need for prosecutors in the country to master the digital frontie
Fiji has learned from its past and we know that restricting media engagement or access is not the answer - Tabuya
At all times, the public interest in accessing information and the media’s role in scrutinising government must outweigh any unilateral power to silence or sideline a news outlet. In Fiji, we uphold the principle that
Wailea resident raises concerns about drug issues raised countless times with Police while COMPOL says official complaint must be lodged
Wailea Settlement Community leader, Inoke Utona says he has raised the issue of drug use and dealing in their area countless times with the authorities but there has still been no response from Police. However when