MIRA drops list of big tax defaulters; Bassam tops the list with over MVR 1 million unpaid

The Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) has published the names of 33 taxpayers whose additional tax dues exceed MVR 1 million, including former Football Association of Maldives (FAM) president Bassam Adeel Jaleel.

The names were disclosed under MIRA’s procedure for publicising individuals and companies that fail to file tax returns or fail to pay outstanding taxes.

Bassam, who is currently serving a 32-year prison sentence for corruption, is among those listed. Earlier this month, he was banned for life from all football activities and fined USD 1.23 million for violating FIFA’s ethics regulations.

The list also includes several well-known businesses and companies operating in the Maldives. Among them are AKDA Engineers International Pvt Ltd, a construction company, and Cibo Investments Pvt Ltd, which operates Cibo Cafe' in the Artificial Beach area of Male'.

Other notable names include Duplex Pvt Ltd, Medhufushi Investment Pvt Ltd, Blue Zing Pvt Ltd, Uni Engineering Pvt Ltd, Schwack Maldives Pvt Ltd, and resort operators such as Sun Sporting Holidays Ltd and Medhufushi Investment Pvt Ltd.

MIRA stated that before making the names public, all non-compliant taxpayers were contacted by phone and informed of the penalties and enforcement actions applicable to them. They were also notified via SMS.

The authority urged taxpayers who have not yet submitted their returns or settled outstanding dues to do so without delay, noting that impartial enforcement measures will be taken to recover money owed to the state.

Under MIRA’s enforcement policy, actions may include:

• seizure of bank accounts of persistent defaulters,  

• withholding government services,  

• suspension of import and export permits,  

• civil litigation to recover dues, and  

• travel bans on responsible persons.

Cases involving intentional tax evasion or false information will be investigated as criminal offences and forwarded to the Prosecutor General’s Office for prosecution.

MIRA noted that penalties and interest continue to increase daily for non-submission of tax statements and non-payment after deadlines, and reiterated that strict measures will be applied consistently under tax laws and regulations.