From January 2023, the GST rate for the general sector and tourism sector will increase to 8 and 16 per cent respectively. As a result, GST will have to be levied at the new rates on transactions of which the time of supply occurs on or after January 1, 2023.
To prepare for this change, Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) has created a ‘fact sheet’ that lists what businesses need to take care of, which is now published it on the MIRA website. The fact sheet includes information such as the ‘cut-off time’ in relation to the GST change, and determining the rate at which GST will be levied.
Cafes, restaurants and other businesses that do not provide 24-hour services will start levying GST at the new rate from January 1, 2023, from the time such establishments open. All other entities will have to levy GST at new rates with effect from 00:00 on January 1, 2023. The fact sheet also provides some examples of how to determine the ‘time when GST is mandatory’ in transactions involving changes in GST rates.
According to MIRA, with effect from January 1, 2023, the new GST rate must be kept in mind when pricing goods and services. However, those who find it difficult to revise the prices overnight may keep a price fixed before January 1, 2023, and the price to be charged on or after January 1, 2023, in a way that is clear to customers.
MIRA has been conducting a special campaign to sensitise taxpayers and the general public to prepare for the change. As part of the campaign, MIRA’s teams have been visiting Male’ and atolls to provide important information and assistance to taxpayers. The teams will also visit businesses to see if they are following the law after the GST rate changes on January 1, 2023.
