MIRA introduces new system to submit tourist information

The Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) officially launched the Maldives Guest Information System (MGIS) on Thursday.

The new system was launched by Finance Minister Hassan during a special ceremony on Thursday. According to MIRA, the launch forms part of its ongoing efforts to make services more convenient and efficient for taxpayers.

Under the new system, all entities registered for Green Tax will be able to submit guest information for tourist establishments directly through MGIS. MIRA stated that information submitted through the system will also be shared with the Tourism Ministry, allowing reporting requirements for both authorities to be fulfilled simultaneously. The initiative is expected to substantially reduce the administrative workload for tourist establishments. Furthermore, once MGIS is integrated with the establishments’ internal systems, manual data entry will no longer be required.

Although the system is available to all relevant entities, MIRA will introduce it through a phased onboarding process. Resorts, hotels, and guesthouses with more than 50 beds will be required to begin submitting reports through MGIS from November. All other entities registered for Green Tax must begin reporting through the system for periods commencing in January and thereafter.

MIRA clarified that the introduction of MGIS will not affect the existing deadlines for Green Tax returns and payments. Green Tax filings and payments will continue to be submitted through the "MIRAconnect" portal. However, once the required information has been submitted through MGIS, taxpayers will no longer need to manually attach additional information sheets to their Green Tax returns. Instead, the relevant information will be automatically pre-filled in the Green Tax return form.

The launch of MGIS comes as recent amendments to the GST Act have introduced taxation on offshore booking platforms and foreign tour operators, a development that has raised concerns among various stakeholders within the tourism industry.