Accommodation providers in Mauritius — hotels, guesthouses, and self-catering apartments — collect several taxes and levies on a guest's bill. Getting them right on every invoice keeps you compliant and avoids disputes at checkout. Here is how the main charges fit together.
VAT (Value-Added Tax)
Mauritius applies a standard VAT rate of 15% to most goods and services, including hotel accommodation and food and beverage. It is shown as a separate line on the guest invoice. A small number of services (such as certain health and medical services) are VAT-exempt.
Tourism levy
A tourism levy applies to tourist accommodation providers. It was introduced in 2013 and is paid by guests through their accommodation bill, calculated on the accommodation charge excluding VAT. Some accommodation categories may be exempt. Rates and thresholds are set by the government and can change — confirm the current figure with the Mauritius Revenue Authority.
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Service charge and other charges
Beyond VAT and the tourism levy, a guest bill may also include:
- Service charge — commonly 5%–10% on food and beverage.
- Municipal tax — varies by location and property type.
- Environmental or eco levies — where applicable to the provider.
Some properties quote rates inclusive of these charges and others add them at checkout, so it is good practice to state clearly on the invoice what is included.
A worked example
A guest books a hotel in Mauritius for 3 nights at MUR-equivalent $200 per night (accommodation total $600). A simplified bill might read:
- Accommodation charge: $600
- Tourism levy (on the accommodation charge, excluding VAT): as per the current rate
- VAT at 15%: $90
- Total: $690 plus the applicable tourism levy
How Zitlin keeps Mauritius invoices compliant
Zitlin calculates VAT and configurable levies on every folio, so each guest invoice is correct without manual arithmetic:
- Configurable tax rules — set VAT at 15% and add the tourism levy, service charge, or municipal tax as separate, clearly labelled lines.
- Multi-currency invoicing — bill international guests in their currency while your books stay in yours.
- Clean records for filing — export tax reports so VAT and levy totals are ready when returns are due.
Frequently asked questions
What is the VAT rate on hotel stays in Mauritius? Mauritius applies a standard VAT rate of 15% to most goods and services, including hotel accommodation. It appears as a distinct line on the guest invoice.
What is the Mauritius tourism levy? The tourism levy is a charge on tourist accommodation providers, introduced in 2013 and paid by guests through their accommodation bill. Verify the current rate and exemptions with the Mauritius Revenue Authority, as thresholds can change.
Can Zitlin invoice in multiple currencies? Yes. Zitlin supports multi-currency invoicing, so you can bill international guests while keeping VAT and levies calculated correctly on each folio.
Note: Tax rates and thresholds in Mauritius are set by the government and are subject to change. Always verify current figures with the Mauritius Revenue Authority or a qualified tax professional.
