The Maldives is taxing foreign booking platforms and tour operators—affecting expat tourism businesses and travelers.
The Maldives has introduced new tax rules targeting foreign booking platforms and tour operators, requiring them to register and pay taxes on revenue generated within the country. This affects Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia, and similar services, as well as independent tour operators and villa rental businesses run by expats.
The tax applies to gross revenue from Maldivian bookings, not just profit. Foreign platforms must register with the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority and remit taxes monthly or quarterly. For expats running guesthouses, villas, or tour businesses, this means higher compliance costs and potential retroactive tax assessments if you haven't been registered.
Maldives now taxes foreign booking platforms and expat tourism businesses—register or face fines.
If you operate a tourism or accommodation business in the Maldives, register immediately with the tax authority and begin tracking all revenue. Consult a local accountant to understand your specific obligations—rates and thresholds vary by business type. Failure to register can result in fines, asset seizure, and visa cancellation. Even if you're not directly affected, the tax may increase prices for travelers and reduce booking volumes, so plan accordingly if you rely on tourism income.
Source: original report ↗
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