Fiji to process low-risk VAT refunds within 30 days

The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) is implementing a new process to expedite Value Added Tax (VAT) refunds. Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel announced that eligible low-risk claims are now targeted for processing within 30 days from the end of the filing month to assist businesses with cash flow and working capital management.

To achieve this, the FRCS utilizes automated, risk-based parameters to identify compliant claims for streamlined verification. However, high-risk or complex claims do not have a fixed timeframe, as they remain subject to pre-refund verification and audits. The government is working to improve these processes by strengthening risk-based verification, improving hedging analysis, and establishing clearer case ownership and escalation procedures.