Amendments to MIRA’s Enforcement Policies

Introduction

On 20th October 2024, Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) published a series of amendments to its enforcement policies; First Amendment to General Enforcement Policy (Policy No. 2024/G-34), Third Amendment to Name and Shame Policy (Policy No. 2024/G-33), and First Amendment to the Policy on Accessing Bank Account Information and Freezing Bank Account (Policy No. 2024/G-32). The following are highlights from the amendments:

1. First Amendment to General Enforcement Policy

   • Non-filers and non-payers to comply with “First Notice” within 15 days. Previously, it had been 30 days.

   • Non-filers and non-payers to comply with “Final Notice” within 15 days. Previously, it had been 30 days.

2. Third Amendment to Name and Shame Policy

   • Provided that the conditions under Section 2(a) are met, the names of taxpayers who have not met filing deadlines may be disclosed.

   • The unpaid amount and the duration of non-payment may be disclosed.

3. First Amendment to the Policy on Accessing Bank Account Information and Freezing Bank Account

   • Subject to the conditions under Section 3(a), bank accounts of non-payers may be frozen after serving the required notices. Previously, there had been a 60 day waiting period after the payment deadline.

   • Bank accounts may not be frozen if an installment agreement has been signed. Previously, bank accounts may not have been frozen if an installment agreement had been requested for.

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