Dues Must be Settled Prior to Amending State Agreements

The Ministry of Finance, on 21 April 2019, issued a circular pertaining to procedures to be followed by state offices prior to taking any action which may impact revenue.

The circular indicates that an agreement entered into by a state office, under which payments must be made to the state under said agreement may only be amended, or parties to the agreement can only be changed, or the agreement may only be renewed, once the parties to the agreement can agree upon the terms on which any outstanding dues to the state will be settled. Any changes to an agreement in this regard must be communicated to the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA).

Additionally, any state office that issues, renews, or amends permits and license, or changes ownership of businesses, and any other state office responsible for issuing permits, must ensure that the applicant of such permit or license, does not have any dues with the MIRA, and if so, must come to an arrangement on settling such dues.

The requirements under this circular come into effect from 21 April 2019 onwards.