State Collects MVR 1.9 Billion as Green Tax in First 10 Months

The Maldivian government generated MVR 1.9 billion from Green Tax during the first ten months of this year, according to official statistics released by the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA).

This figure represents a 4 percent increase compared to the MVR 1.8 billion collected during the corresponding period of the previous year.

However, monthly revenue for October saw a slight dip. According to MIRA’s data, the state received MVR 156 million in Green Tax during October, compared to MVR 172 million collected in October of the previous year.

Green Tax is levied on tourists staying at tourist resorts, hotels, guesthouses, and safari vessels operating across the country. Currently, the Maldives has 185 operational resorts, 17 hotels, 922 guesthouses, and 164 safaris.

Under the current tax structure, tourists staying at resorts, hotels, and safari vessels are charged USD 12 per day, while those staying in local guesthouses pay USD 6 per day. Children under the age of two are exempt from the tax.

Revenue collected from the Green Tax is primarily utilized by the government to finance environmental protection projects across various islands. These initiatives include the establishment of water and sewerage systems, coastal protection projects, and broader programs such as the Clean Environment Project.