Green Tax generates MVR 73 million despite erroneous ban
In August, $4.7 million was received as Green Tax.
By
Ahmed Naif
Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) has collected MVR 73.1 million as Green Tax in August while green taxing has been halted due to an error in the recently-enacted amendments to the Tourism Act.
MIRA was made aware in August that due to an error in the Green Tax commencement date during the drafting of the bill, green taxes cannot be levied this year.
Revenue statistics published by MIRA on Thursday show:
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In August, USD 4.7 million was received as Green Tax, which is MVR 73.1 million.
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Green tax contributed 5.5% of the total revenue generated last month.
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USD 44.5 million has been collected as Green Tax so far this year; MVR 681.1 million.
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MIRA collected MVR 61.5 million from Green Taxes in July after the amendments to the Act had been ratified.
The government has since proposed amendments to the Tourism Act to resolve the issue. The latest amendments allow the state to collect Green Tax if it was collected even after the July amendment.
Following the amendment in July, MIRA said that the state is likely to lose MVR 200-300 million of the projected revenue from Green Tax this year.
Green Taxes are levied on:
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Resorts - USD 6 per tourist per night
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Hotels or guesthouses - USD 3 per night from each tourist
