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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.

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.

First Amendment to SEZ Act Introduces New Property Transfer Tax

The First Amendment to the Special Economic Zones Act was ratified on 10 November 2025, introducing noteworthy tax implications for SEZ developers and investors including introduction of a new property transfer tax on strata title transactions.

16th Amendment to the Maldives Tourism Act

The 16th Amendment to the Tourism Act was gazetted on 6 December 2025 introducing new changes to the Tourism Act. The new changes include the establishment of Tourism Training Resorts as a new category of tourism establishments.

MIRA Publishes Third Amendment to the Instalment Policy

On 22 October 2025, the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (“MIRA”) has published the Third Amendment to the Instalment Policy (the “Amendment”), introducing more flexibility in granting instalment arrangements to delinquent taxpayers.

Maldives Introduces New Trademark Registration Regime

The Trademark Act was gazetted on 11 November 2025, establishing a statutory framework for the registration and protection of trademarks in the Maldives for the first time. This development strengthens the protection of intellectual property rights in the Maldives addressing a previously unregulated area of intellectual property law in. Maldiv.