Coin Save probe nears completion

By Joyetter Feagaimaali'i 18 February 2020, 10:43PM

The Ministry of Customs and Revenue is awaiting the results of an investigation into the accounting practices of the Coin Save retail outlets. 

The Government probe into the retailers came after an investigation by the Samoa Observer found it had issued outdated receipts issued to customers in November 2019.

The investigation is nearing its completion, the Commissioner of the Ministry of Revenue and Customs, Matafeo Avalisa Viali-Fautuaali'i, said in an interview with the Samoa Observer last week. 

“We are waiting for the report as the investigation continues. Our office audit goes back to the previous years and we’re comparing 2018 and 2019," said Matafeo.

“When my team arrived at Coin Save, they [had] upgraded their system to reflect the current date and luckily [due to] the receipts provided by your office we have evidence". 

Last year Commissioner Matafeo said the chain's accounting practices were still being audited after the Samoa Observer discovered the store's Vaitele and Fugalei outlets had been issuing receipts dated a year old. 

Matafeo stated that such practices can be associated with tax evasion. Last week, Matafeo said they are going through relevant documents. 

“We are looking at bank statements, tax returns and other relevant documents to assure accuracy," the Commissioner said. 

“And looking at what we have, its alleged they are issuing outdated receipts but tallying the current dates, but they said [Coin Save] its an error of the system".

Last year, the Coin Save in Vaitele, the manager of the branch, Salaevalu Tanielu, told the Samoa Observer there was an error with the store's cash registers. 

When Ms. Tanielu was asked why it was not just her store producing outdated receipts she replied that the company's I.T. staff would be working on it.

She declined to answer when asked if the company was paying the correct amount of value-added goods and services tax.

 

 



By Joyetter Feagaimaali'i 18 February 2020, 10:43PM
Samoa Observer

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