The parliament, on Sunday, approved the amendment to the Tax Administration Act that allows Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) to raise civil cases at court in order to collect tax-related fines.

The amendment was passed with 56 votes after being reviewed by the Parliamentary Committee on Economic Affairs.

Submitted by the state, the provision enables MIRA to collect payments on behalf of the government in addition to tax from individuals or legal entities as per regulations or agreements.

According to the amendment, signed documents from the Commissioner General of Taxation which include a taxpayer's name, address and the details of the outstanding tax amount would be considered legal proof.

Furthermore, the recently passed provision also details guidelines under which sensitive information can be exchanged with foreign countries or regional tax regulatory bodies as per international conventions and agreements signed by Maldives.