Company fined for failing to lodge tax income returns

The Suva Magistrate Court has convicted Coral Coast Builders Limited for failing to file income tax returns from 2008 to 2014.

The Company pleaded guilty to seven (7) counts of failing to file income tax returns as required under section 44 (1) of the Income Tax Act [Cap 201] and Section 3 (1) of the Tax Administration Act 2009, contravening section 49 (1) of the Tax Administration Act 2009. Resident Magistrate Kashyapa Wickaramasekara while sentencing the company said tax returns had not been lodged despite numerous reminders by the Commissioner on a continued basis for a period of eight (8) consecutive years. The Company has been fined $1500 for each count. “Failing to lodge income tax returns is an offence under the Tax Administration Act 2009 and is unfair to those abiding businesses who lodge their returns on time,” FRCS chief executive officer, Visvanath Das said.

“This case is an example of how non-compliant taxpayers will be dealt with under the law and should be a deterrent to those who think they can get away with beating the tax system,” he said.

“With a strong emphasis on voluntary compliance this year, the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) is now on the outlook to clamp down on companies who have not been compliant with their lodgements,” Mr Das said.

“We also invite businesses to take advantage of the Government’s current Tax Amnesty initiative till December, 2017 and become compliant without having to suffer penalties, fines and prosecutions,” Mr Das said. FRCS is reaching out to businesses to provide assistance in increasing voluntary compliance.

“Businesses facing difficulties in relation to Return of Lodgements are urged to contact our officers at any FRCS office,” Mr Das stressed.

However, despite the assistance, if businesses continue to beat the tax system, they will face the full brunt of the law.

Mr Das reiterated the importance of the public seeking assistance from FRCS if they are unsure of their tax obligations.

“Our officers are here to serve the public and the Revenue and Customs Service is encouraging individuals and businesses who may be unsure of their tax status or obligations, to call or our nearest office or alternatively visit our website www.frcs. org.fj for more information.” “We are actively engaging and providing information to individuals, businesses and sectoral agencies as we focus our efforts on encouraging and supporting voluntary compliance in Fiji,” Mr Das said.