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VAT revenue collection: Maldives highest, Sri Lanka lowest
Sri Lanka has the lowest tax revenue collected through Value Added Tax (VAT) in South Asia while Maldives with a lower tax rate collects nearly 5 times more through its Goods and Services Tax (GST). In 2023, Sri Lanka’s VAT rate was 15%, which generated LKR 694 billion—equivalent to 2.5% of GDP—making it the lowest in South Asia. In contrast, countries with similar or lower VAT rates collected higher revenue. For example, Bangladesh, with a similar rate, collected revenue amounting to 3.6% of GDP, and Nepal, with a lower rate of 13%, generated 5.3% of its GDP from VAT in 2023. The Maldives stands out with a Goods and Services Tax (GST) that raises revenue amounting to 12% of GDP, despite having a lower average rate of about 12% (8% for general GST and 16% for tourism GST). Although it is termed “GST,” the system functions similarly to Sri Lanka’s VAT by allowing businesses to charge GST on sales (output tax) and claim credits for GST paid on purchases (input tax). Although the reported value of goods taxed under General GST and the Tourism GST rate is about the same, the Maldives secures twice as much revenue from its Tourism GST due to the higher 16% rate.
Featured Insight
VAT revenue collection: Maldives highest, Sri Lanka lowest
Sri Lanka has the lowest tax revenue collected through Value Added Tax (VAT) in South Asia while Maldives with a lower tax rate collects nearly 5 times more through its Goods and Services Tax (GST). In 2023, Sri Lanka’s VAT rate was 15%, which generated LKR 694 billion—equivalent to 2.5% of GDP—making it the lowest in South Asia. In contrast, countries with similar or lower VAT rates collected higher revenue. For example, Bangladesh, with a similar rate, collected revenue amounting to 3.6% of GDP, and Nepal, with a lower rate of 13%, generated 5.3% of its GDP from VAT in 2023. The Maldives stands out with a Goods and Services Tax (GST) that raises revenue amounting to 12% of GDP, despite having a lower average rate of about 12% (8% for general GST and 16% for tourism GST). Although it is termed “GST,” the system functions similarly to Sri Lanka’s VAT by allowing businesses to charge GST on sales (output tax) and claim credits for GST paid on purchases (input tax). Although the reported value of goods taxed under General GST and the Tourism GST rate is about the same, the Maldives secures twice as much revenue from its Tourism GST due to the higher 16% rate.
Featured Insight
VAT revenue collection: Maldives highest, Sri Lanka lowest
Sri Lanka has the lowest tax revenue collected through Value Added Tax (VAT) in South Asia while Maldives with a lower tax rate collects nearly 5 times more through its Goods and Services Tax (GST). In 2023, Sri Lanka’s VAT rate was 15%, which generated LKR 694 billion—equivalent to 2.5% of GDP—making it the lowest in South Asia. In contrast, countries with similar or lower VAT rates collected higher revenue. For example, Bangladesh, with a similar rate, collected revenue amounting to 3.6% of GDP, and Nepal, with a lower rate of 13%, generated 5.3% of its GDP from VAT in 2023. The Maldives stands out with a Goods and Services Tax (GST) that raises revenue amounting to 12% of GDP, despite having a lower average rate of about 12% (8% for general GST and 16% for tourism GST). Although it is termed “GST,” the system functions similarly to Sri Lanka’s VAT by allowing businesses to charge GST on sales (output tax) and claim credits for GST paid on purchases (input tax). Although the reported value of goods taxed under General GST and the Tourism GST rate is about the same, the Maldives secures twice as much revenue from its Tourism GST due to the higher 16% rate.
Featured Insight
VAT revenue collection: Maldives highest, Sri Lanka lowest
Sri Lanka has the lowest tax revenue collected through Value Added Tax (VAT) in South Asia while Maldives with a lower tax rate collects nearly 5 times more through its Goods and Services Tax (GST). In 2023, Sri Lanka’s VAT rate was 15%, which generated LKR 694 billion—equivalent to 2.5% of GDP—making it the lowest in South Asia. In contrast, countries with similar or lower VAT rates collected higher revenue. For example, Bangladesh, with a similar rate, collected revenue amounting to 3.6% of GDP, and Nepal, with a lower rate of 13%, generated 5.3% of its GDP from VAT in 2023. The Maldives stands out with a Goods and Services Tax (GST) that raises revenue amounting to 12% of GDP, despite having a lower average rate of about 12% (8% for general GST and 16% for tourism GST). Although it is termed “GST,” the system functions similarly to Sri Lanka’s VAT by allowing businesses to charge GST on sales (output tax) and claim credits for GST paid on purchases (input tax). Although the reported value of goods taxed under General GST and the Tourism GST rate is about the same, the Maldives secures twice as much revenue from its Tourism GST due to the higher 16% rate.
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IMF 2nd Review
IMF 2nd Review
This report provides the second review of Sri Lanka’s progress under the 48-month Extended Fund Facility with the International Monetary Fund, granting the country access to SDR 254 million (approximately US$337 million).
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