On 23 April 2017, the Construction Act was published in the Maldives gazette, which sets out the standards and parameters to be followed by all actors in the industry. The Act gives the Minister – responsible for enforcement of construction sector…

The Ministry of Tourism, on 26 April 2017, published the 2nd Amendment to Regulation Number 2010/R-14 (Grant of Rights – land and islands leased for tourism purposes) which amends Section 29 of the regulation. The section concerns debt clearance of…

The Maldives High Court, on 20 April 2017, quashed the Civil Court’s decision that the Civil Court can only proceed with enforcement of the arbitral award after the High Court makes a decision regarding the award. The initial case, which was filed…

The Maldives Inland Revenue Authority has brought an amendment to the Business Profit Tax Regulation exempting micro businesses from submitting an auditor’s report with their BPT Return. Pursuant to Tax Ruling B-57, a micro business, which is categorically…

The MIRA has published a circular concerning the GST implications for businesses that import goods on behalf of a third party. The circular reminds GST registered businesses that importing goods on behalf of a third party shall be considered as a sale…

Maldives Inland Revenue Authority has issued a circular instructing taxpayers to pay withholding tax on payments made to all online travel agencies (OTAs), regardless of the arrangement agreed with the OTAs. As per the circular, the new rule comes into…

The High Court of Maldives has upheld the Tax Appeal Tribunal’s decision on a case which focused on the subjectivity of withholding tax on payments made by a person other than the taxpayer. On 23 November 2016, the High Court of Maldives upheld…

A Tax Ruling has been issued by the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) on 8 August 2016 clarifying the GST treatment of imported goods. The Ruling explains the GST treatment when goods are imported to Maldives under an import license (regardless…