MIRA requests PG Office to prosecute an individual for tax fraud

Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) has, for the first time, asked the Prosecutor General’s (PG) Office to prosecute an individual who has been accused of tax fraud.

MIRA said that the PG Office has been asked to prosecute Fuad Zahir of Maryamge, Gaafu Alifu Kolamaafushi, for tax fraud, for obstructing MIRA’s audit, and for obstructing the investigation against him.

MIRA said that checks were conducted on the companies and shops owned by Fuad Zahir after he was accused of serious tax fraud, and that the investigations revealed that the tax statements filed by Fuad Zahir included false information.

MIRA said that Fuad Zahir had also failed to meet the deadlines for filing the tax statements.

Obstruction, intimidation or bribery against an employee of MIRA carries a fine not exceeding MVR 200,000, or imprisonment for a period of three months to three years. The penalty for including false information in the tax statement is house arrest for a period of three months to one year.