Cash Declaration Limit Changed

The Maldives Monetary Authority, on 17 January 2019, published the first amendment to the Regulation on Cross Border Currency Declaration Amount. The changes introduced now require passengers travelling with USD 20,000 or more, and are travelling…

Proposed Amendment to Tax Administration Act Raises Payment Requirements for Tax Appeals

The Government has submitted a Bill to amend the Tax Administration Act, proposing significant changes to the amount of tax taxpayers must pay before filing an appeal at the Tax Appeal Tribunal, including increasing the payment requirement from 25% to 50% of the disputed tax amount and requiring 100% payment for certain categories of assessments.

Government Submits Bill to Tighten Thin Capitalisation Rules

The Government submitted a bill to the People’s Majlis on 18 October 2026 proposing the Third Amendment to the Income Tax Act. The Bill makes two key changes to thin capitalisation rule. It reduces interest capacity from 30% to 25% and it repeals the current mechanism that lets interest above the interest capacity to be carried forward and deducted in 10 years.

Government Submits Bill to Abolish Offshore Inbound Tourism GST Regime

On 18 October 2026, the Government submitted the Bill on the 9th Amendment to the GST Act to the People’s Majlis proposing significant changes to the GST Act including the discontinuation of the GST regime applicable to offshore suppliers of inbound tourism products and related booking or agency services and introduction of general anti avoidance provisions.

Thirty Second Amendment to the GST Regulation

MIRA has published the 32nd Amendment to the GST Regulation, setting out the practical GST rules for the new offshore inbound tourism products regime including rules on registration, the margin-based GST calculation, input tax restrictions, invoicing and price display, return filing, record keeping, adjustments and transitional rules.

First Amendment to the General Regulation on Foreign Currency

The First Amendment to the General Regulation on Foreign Currency was gazetted on 10 September 2026 setting out procedures for obtaining approval to make foreign currency payments and applying for concessions from mandatory conversion obligations. These procedures follow the changes introduced by the First Amendment to the Foreign Currency Act.

Sixth Amendment to the Income Tax Regulation

The Sixth Amendment to the Income Tax Regulation introduces a number of important changes to the income tax framework, affecting the tax treatment of leases, capital allowances, functional currency, accounting and filing requirements, employer-provided staff accommodation and certain registration and compliance obligations.

A Practical Guide to GST on Inbound Tourism Products

The Eighth Amendment to the GST Act introduces a new GST framework for offshore suppliers of inbound tourism products, including foreign tour operators, online travel agencies and booking platforms.

Eighth Amendment to the GST Act Ratified

The Eighth Amendment to the GST Act was ratified and published in the Government Gazette on 31 August 2026. The Amendment introduces new GST rules for offshore suppliers of Maldives inbound tourism products, revised place of supply rules, revised definitions of goods and services, and broader tourism sector provisions.

First Amendment to the Foreign Currency Act Ratified into Law

The First Amendment to the Foreign Currency Act has been ratified into law on 31 August 2026, and is set to come into effect on 1 September 2026. It makes significant changes to the statutory framework governing foreign currency in the Maldives including mandatory conversion rate for Category A Tourism Establishments and high-income entities from 20% to 40% of monthly gross sales.

Income Tax Bill Proposes Significant Changes to Non-Resident Contractor Payments

On 16 August 2026, the Government submitted to the People’s Majlis the Bill on Second Amendment to the Income Tax Act. The proposed amendment introduces significant changes to the taxation of non-resident contractor payments, including an increased non-resident withholding tax rate, an expanded definition and mandatory gross-basis taxation for non-resident contractors.