Experience - Fiji Islands Revenue And Customs Authority

Consultant, Fiji Islands Revenue and Customs Authority 1998-2000 Consultant to the Fiji Islands Revenue and Customs Authority (FIRCA), which has responsibility for the collection of the State’s revenue by way of taxation and duties, on a project funded by FIRCA. Prepared a major restructure of the country’s taxation laws. Islands Master Tax Guide.   Prepared a single source collection of all taxation legislation, regulations, rulings, forms and judgements in hard and electronic formats Income Tax Bill.   Drafted first consolidation of the income tax law for 25 years   Consolidated all relevant taxation measures and concessions, particularly incentives for tax free factories, the hotel industry and the construction sector   Adopted a new structure and numbering system, introduced clearer and plainer language and updated many problem areas   Co-ordinated the FIRCA policy committee   Reviewed existing taxation and tax incentive primary and secondary legislation   Co-ordinated a public and professional sector consultation process   Co-ordinated with stake-holding government departments and ministries   Presented FIRCA proposals to Prime Minister & Minister of Finance and Cabinet   Liaised with the First Parliamentary Counsel and Secretary-General to Parliament on procedures for introducing Bills to Parliament and gazetting Regulations   Represented FIRCA before Select Committees of House of Representatives and Senate   Prepared and conducted training seminars for FIRCA staff on new legislation Value Added Tax Bill.   Drafted a Value Added Tax Bill to consolidate and amend the VAT law, first introduced in 1992 and based on New Zealand’s GST   Co-ordinated a Review Committee to revise the law in light of required technical changes identified since implementation National Budgets and Tax Free Zones reform.   Liaised with Ministry of Finance and Foreign Investment Advisory Service on proposed taxation changes, particularly in relation to investment   Drafted legislation to implement Budget changes   Drafted legislation for reform and harmonisation of taxation, incentives and customs duties and tariffs in Tax Free Zones and for exporters Tax Administration Bill.   Drafted entirely new legislation to provide a uniform appeals procedure and administrative framework for Income Tax and VAT and other taxes administered by FIRCA     Policy.   Prepared opinions and policy advice for FIRCA on Value Added Tax and Income Tax   Liaised with stake-holders on policy and interpretation issues Institutional Strengthening.   Liaised with FIRCA, AusAID and line Ministries to draft and implement legislation to create and manage a new, combined revenue authority     <Back to Experience>