The State received USD 12.96 million in Green Tax collections last month, according to official statistics released by the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority. The August receipts represent a 4.6 per cent expansion compared with the USD 12.40 million collected during the corresponding month last year, reflecting sustained receipts from the nation’s core tourism sector. The environmental levy accounted for 13.3 per cent of all revenue collected by the government in US dollars during August, while representing 8.3 per cent of overall state revenue.
On a cumulative basis through the end of August, collections reached USD 101.17 million, marking a 5.6 per cent increase over the USD 95.33 million recorded during the same eight-month period a year earlier, the revenue authority reported. Established in October 2016 to secure dedicated funding for national environmental protection programmes, the tax applies broadly to foreign tourists staying at resorts, hotels, guesthouses, and vessels operating throughout the country.
Under current regulations, guests staying at resorts, hotels, and safari vessels are assessed a daily levy of USD 12 per person, whereas visitors at local guesthouses pay USD 6 per day. Children under two years of age remain fully exempt. Revenue generated from the levy funds island-level environmental and public utility projects, underwriting water supply systems, sewerage infrastructure, coastal protection, and clean environment initiatives.