MIRA collects MVR 2.63B in April as tourism revenue declines

Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) has reported a decline in tourism-related tax revenue for April compared to the same period last year, attributing the decrease primarily to lower tourist arrival figures.

According to statistics released by MIRA, total revenue collected in April 2026 amounted to MVR 2.63 billion, reflecting a 0.3 percent decrease compared to revenue collected during the same month in 2025.

Despite the year-on-year decline, the figure exceeded initial projections for the month by 16.6 percent. MIRA stated that the reduction in annual revenue was mainly driven by lower collections from Tourism Goods and Services Tax (TGST), Green Tax, and airport-related taxes and fees.

The decline in tourism-related revenue has largely been linked to a 19.8 percent reduction in tourist arrivals in April compared to the previous year. MIRA further noted that its initial forecasts had been revised downward due to ongoing global conflicts, which were anticipated to negatively affect tourist arrivals and, consequently, GST revenue.

Nevertheless, overall revenue surpassed forecasts as a result of increased collections from resort lease rents, GST, and work permit fees. MIRA also revealed that 32.6 percent of the revenue collected last month consisted of payments relating to previous deadlines, while 14.2 percent was recovered through the authority’s enforcement and debt collection measures.

Through its debt recovery initiatives, MIRA collected a total of MVR 543 million, distributed as follows:

• MVR 372 million through formal notices
• MVR 96 million through dues clearance procedures
• MVR 64 million through installment agreements
• MVR 5 million through telephone follow-ups
• MVR 4 million under action policy

The largest portion of April’s revenue was generated through GST collections, which amounted to MVR 1.7 billion. In addition, Green Tax contributed MVR 185 million, while Income Tax generated MVR 178 million. Airport Development Fees and Departure Taxes each accounted for MVR 152 million of the total revenue collected.

MIRA further highlighted that the total revenue collected during the month included USD 121 million.