MIRA recovers MVR 2.09 billion in unpaid dues in first quarter of 2026

The Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) recovered MVR 2.09 billion in outstanding dues during the first quarter of 2026, according to the authority's quarterly report.

The amount was collected through enforcement measures aimed at taxpayers who owed money to the state but had not paid.

MIRA set out how the money was recovered. The largest share, MVR 617.54 million, came through dues clearance. A further MVR 151.80 million was recovered through reminder calls and emails.

The report said MVR 13.59 million was collected under the account freezing policy, and MVR 13.15 million under the name and shame policy, which involves publishing the names of those who fail to pay. Dunning, or recovery through repeated contact and other methods, brought in MVR 1.29 million.

During the quarter, MIRA issued final notices to 10,701 parties that had not filed tax returns and to 5,776 parties that owed money but had not paid.

The authority also offered flexibility to some taxpayers. MIRA granted installment plans to 176 taxpayers, covering MVR 256.03 million in tax, allowing them to pay in stages.

Arrears remain high

Despite the recovery effort, the total amount owed to MIRA remained substantial.

Total arrears stood at MVR 14.47 billion as of 31 March 2026, according to the report. This figure represents dues owed by all taxpayers.

Tax dues made up MVR 8.17 billion of the total. Non-tax dues accounted for MVR 6.30 billion.

Tourism Land Rent was the single largest category of arrears, at MVR 5.97 billion. Among tax dues, GGST arrears stood at MVR 3.49 billion and income tax arrears at MVR 2.41 billion.

State-owned enterprises accounted for a significant portion of the dues. SOEs owed MVR 3.52 billion as of 31 March 2026, made up of MVR 3.31 billion in tax dues and MVR 204.88 million in non-tax dues.

The enforced collection figure is separate from MIRA's total quarterly revenue of MVR 11.70 billion, the highest quarterly collection on record.