MIRA reports MVR 2.2 billion in November revenue, up 16.6%

The Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) collected MVR 2.20 billion in November, marking a 16.6 percent increase compared to the same month last year.

MIRA attributed the rise mainly to higher receipts from tourism GST, green tax and airport-related charges. The increase in tourist arrivals in October, up 10.3 percent year-on-year, played a key role in boosting collections.

Revised green tax rates introduced on 1 January, along with changes to airport tax and fee structures implemented last December, further pushed revenue above last year’s figures. Overall, November collections exceeded projections by 6.7 percent, supported by stronger GST returns from both tourism and non-tourism sectors, as well as unexpected income from land sales and land conversion fees.

Tourism GST continued to be the biggest revenue source, bringing in MVR 1.30 billion. Green tax contributed MVR 191.06 million, airport development fees totalled MVR 175.87 million and departure tax generated MVR 164.99 million. MIRA also collected MVR 131.67 million in income tax and MVR 63.86 million from work permit fees.

The authority noted that 19.7 percent of November’s revenue consisted of late payments from previous deadlines, while enforcement and recovery efforts accounted for 21 percent.

Revenue collected in foreign currency reached USD 103.23 million, surpassing the USD 85 million recorded in October last year.