Will begin taking income tax in a unity government, said opposition coalition’s Presidential candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Solih said that income tax, will be taken from persons who have a high enough income.

Income tax was introduced to the Maldives in 2011 during former President Mohamed Nasheed’s administration. Although this was included in the tax system, it was not implemented.

According to Solih, this law will need to be implemented to perfect the tax system and to increase citizen’s income.

Highlighting the misconducts of Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) during the current administration, Solih said that a unity government will bring an end to the wrongdoings and make the authority accountable in the Parliament. Solih further pledged to make the Tax Appeal Tribunal an independent institution during his term.

“The state’s social protection program can only be perfected once the tax system is perfected. As such, with the grace of God, a unity government will introduce income tax again,” said Solih.

According to the opposition candidate, a unity government will begin implementing the tax system including income tax after further research and discussions with relevant authorities.

An income tax is a tax is imposed by the government on all bodies that general income that must file an income tax annually. These taxes are taken from bodies and entities who reach a sufficient income under certain procedures.