MVR 22bn in unpaid taxes, government’s failure to settle outstanding payments to private companies cited as primary reason for rising tax delinquency: Niyazy
10 ނޮވެމްބަރު 2026 | އަންގާރަ 11:46Auditor General Hussain Niyazy has stated that the government's outstanding debt of approximately seven billion rufiyaa to private companies is the primary reason for declining tax revenues. He urged the Ministry of Finance to find a resolution for these unpaid dues, noting with concern that the proposed budget for the upcoming year lacks a clear mechanism for settling these liabilities.
Auditor General Hussain Niyazy. | rayyithunge majlis
Auditor General Hussain Niyazy has stated that approximately MVR 22 billion in tax revenue remains uncollected by the state, noting that the government's failure to settle outstanding payments to private companies is a significant factor contributing to the rise in tax non-compliance.
Niyazy made these remarks while speaking at Tuesday's meeting of the Budget Review Committee. He noted that according to the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA), one reason for the rise in tax evasion is the government's failure to settle outstanding payments owed to companies for various state-contracted projects.
Niyazy highlighted that outstanding bills within the state’s public accounting system reached nearly MVR 7 billion by the end of September this year. He further noted that the proposed budget for the upcoming year fails to outline a strategy for securing the funds necessary to settle these arrears.
Niyazy emphasized that it is crucial for the Ministry of Finance to identify viable mechanisms for settling these payments.
