Entries by Husam Shareef

Proposed Eighth Amendment to the GST Act Advances the Destination Principle and Introduces New Rules for Inbound Tourism Products

On 15 August 2026, the Government submitted to the People’s Majlis the Bill on Eighth Amendment to the Goods and Services Tax Act. The Bill proposes a number of material changes to the existing GST framework, with a key objective of advancing the implementation of the destination principle and bringing within the scope of Maldivian GST supplies made by foreign tour operators and travel agencies. The Bill also seeks to strengthen the GST regime through a number of structural amendments and technical corrections to the existing provisions of the Act.

Compliance Requirements Under the New Companies Act

The Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) has issued a crucial Tax Ruling as of 21 December 2023, outlining revised guidelines for claiming input tax within a 12-month period. This change emphasizes the necessity for businesses to adhere strictly to the input tax claiming deadlines to avoid forfeiture of tax credits, highlighting the importance of accurate and timely tax practices in compliance with the GST Act.

MIRA Issues Tax Ruling on Input Tax Claims

The Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) has issued a crucial Tax Ruling as of 21 December 2023, outlining revised guidelines for claiming input tax within a 12-month period. This change emphasizes the necessity for businesses to adhere strictly to the input tax claiming deadlines to avoid forfeiture of tax credits, highlighting the importance of accurate and timely tax practices in compliance with the GST Act.

First Amendment to the Tourism Boundary Regulation

The First Amendment to the Tourism Boundary Regulation was gazetted on 16 November 2023 permitting lagoon boundary extensions for lagoons leased for tourism purposes and providing exemptions for the establishment of the no development zone which was previously mandated under the Tourism Boundary Regulation.