The Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) has reported that revenue collected from Tourism Goods and Services Tax (TGST) and departure tax last month fell short of projections, despite strong tourist arrival numbers.
According to MIRA’s latest monthly report, the agency collected MVR 4.45 billion in January 2026, an increase of 33.1 percent compared to the same month last year. However, the figure was 4.6 percent lower than the forecast for the month.
MIRA said the year‑on‑year increase was mainly driven by higher collections from bank income tax, land sales, and land transfer fees. Growth in GST revenue from tourism also contributed to the rise, supported by a 7.4 percent increase in tourist arrivals in December 2025 compared to December 2024.
Despite this, both TGST and departure tax collections were lower than expected.
At the same time, business income tax revenue declined. MIRA collected MVR 842 million in January 2025, compared to MVR 692 million in January 2026.
Overall, January 2026 revenue was 4.9 percent below the estimated target.
Tourists at a Maldivian resort.
MIRA noted that 7.6 percent of January’s revenue came from payments for previous deadlines, while 25.9 percent came from recovery of outstanding dues. A total of MVR 531.68 million was recovered through various enforcement measures, including:
MVR 305.84 million through notices  
MVR 51.08 million through dues clearance  
MVR 7.92 million via withholding taxpayers’ bank accounts  
MVR 95.94 million through phone reminders  
MVR 70.91 million under installment agreements  
GST accounted for the largest share of revenue at 40.4 percent, followed by income tax at 34.7 percent. Other key revenue sources included land sales and transfers (MVR 271.44 million), green tax (MVR 221.80 million), airport development fees (MVR 188.85 million), and departure tax (MVR 180.79 million).
The report comes at a time when tourist arrivals are hitting record highs. The Maldives set new daily arrival records three times this month, on February 1, February 8, and again on Saturday, when 11,136 tourists arrived in a single day.
Tourists at the new international passenger terminal at Velana International Airport. (Photo/MACL)
However, the increase in arrivals has not translated into a proportional rise in TGST and departure tax revenue, raising concerns about revenue performance.
To boost state income, the government previously amended the Value Added Tax Act, increasing green tax, TGST, departure tax, and airport development fees. The revised departure tax and airport fees came into effect on December 1, 2024. Under the changes, the departure tax for expatriates travelling in economy class increased from USD 30 to USD 50, while business‑class passengers now pay USD 120 and first‑class passengers USD 240. Green tax was doubled from USD 6 to USD 12, and TGST was raised from 16 percent to 17 percent.