The Tax Crimes Taskforce has received permission to access taxpayer information, despite existing laws that generally prohibit such actions. Taskforce Chairman Nitin Gandhi explained that this access was granted through a formal delegation by the CEO of the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) and under legally binding memoranda of understanding.
Under the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service Act, Section 52, strict confidentiality is mandated regarding the sharing of taxpayer information with third parties. Additionally, Section 37 of the Tax Administration Act stipulates that only FRCS officers are permitted to access taxpayer records for the purposes of audits and investigations. Mr. Gandhi clarified that taskforce members, who are not employees of the FRCS, are not considered authorized officers without proper delegation or specific authorizations through MOUs, which ensures adherence to confidentiality laws.
He further stated that access to taxpayer information is lawful when taskforce members operate under the CEO’s delegation and adhere to confidentiality agreements. The current taskforce includes Mr. Gandhi, former FRCS CEO Jitoko Tikolevu, anti-corruption expert Avaneesh Anand Raman, and financial risk specialist Pramesh Sharma. They collaborate with eight major agencies, including the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) and the Fiji Police.
Each member of the taskforce has signed confidentiality agreements that mandate the protection of sensitive information and prohibit any disclosure unless expressly permitted by the CEO or the taskforce chair. Recently, FRCS also confirmed the establishment of a formal MOU and operational framework, which was signed on November 11, 2025, outlining the taskforce’s responsibilities, scope, access rights, and code of conduct.
By maintaining a structure that promotes both effectiveness and legal compliance, the taskforce aims to protect taxpayer information while enhancing collaboration among various agencies to combat tax-related crimes. The ongoing oversight by the FRCS board and CEO is designed to ensure that these efforts remain accountable and transparent.