FIRCA concerned with tax reports
Thursday August 16, 2007

The Fiji Islands Revenue and Customs Authority says it will not entertain any politically motivated smear campaign following revelations of an interim minister failing to pay tax.

Board chairman Filipe Bole has denied FIRCA had anything to with the information as speculated in local media reports.

"The information is not from FIRCA. The Authority has nothing to do with the information contained in the article and it appears those behind it have political motives to discredit FIRCA and the Government," he said.

Bole said there are no tax issues concerning ministries in the interim Government on which appropriate action has not been taken when required or warranted.

He said FIRCA is aware of similar campaigns launched against politicians in the past and has kept its distance from such insinuations.

Bole added that the suspension of some officers from duty has nothing to do with the unsubstantiated allegations in one of the dailies.

He said these officers were suspended because of breaches of FIRCA's code of conduct and for their involvement in approving refunds from which they have personally benefited along with their accomplices.

He further said concerned members of the public can provide information on breaches of the tax and customs on their hotline or write to the acting chief executive officer.