Introduction The UAE Cabinet has enacted Cabinet Decision No. 127 of 2024, establishing a Reverse Charge Mechanism (RCM) for transactions involving precious metals and precious stones among VAT-registrants. This regulatory amendment, issued on December 16, 2024, will come into force on February 15, 2025. The objective of this legislative measure is to enhance VAT compliance,…

Introduction Cryptocurrency mining has emerged as a cornerstone of the digital revolution, playing a vital role in validating and securing blockchain transactions. As this innovative industry grows, understanding its regulatory and tax implications becomes critical. This article delves into the VAT treatment of cryptocurrency mining, particularly under proof-of-work mechanism, in the UAE, offering insights to…

Introduction The Raqeeb Whistleblower Programme, introduced by the Federal Tax Authority (FTA), provides a legal framework for reporting tax non-compliance, promoting transparency and accountability in the UAE’s tax regime, covering Excise Tax, Value Added Tax (VAT), and Corporate Tax (CT). By incentivizing informants with potential monetary rewards, the programme fosters public participation in safeguarding tax…

Correcting VAT Return Omissions The Federal Tax Authority has introduced Decision No. 8 of 2024, outlining the mechanism for correcting errors or omissions in VAT tax returns. This decision, issued on November 1, 2024, and effective from January 1, 2025, is designed to provide clear guidelines for taxpayers in addressing discrepancies in their submitted tax…

The UAE’s Value Added Tax (VAT) system, established under Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017, has undergone significant amendments in 2024 through Cabinet Decision No. 100 of 2024, effective from November 15, 2024. The changes provide greater clarity and flexibility for VAT compliance, particularly in areas such as export documentation, zero-rating of services, financial services…

Introduction Since the introduction of VAT in the UAE on January 1, 2018, charities have faced the challenge of understanding VAT implications for charities in the UAE. The “Charities VAT Guide (VATGCH1)” serves as a critical resource, providing essential insights into the application of VAT to charitable activities and clarifying the extent of VAT recovery…

Understanding VAT Treatment is essential when distinguishing between manpower services and visa facilitation services to ensure compliance with Value Added Tax (VAT) regulations. This article delves into the specifics of these services, providing a detailed analysis based on VAT Public Clarification VATP038, dated May 30, 2024. Manpower services  Manpower services include activities such as identification,…

Vat Regulations in the UAE : Key Changes and Compliance Requirements 2023 Vat Regulations in the UAE : The UAE Federal Government recently enacted Federal Decree Law No. 18 of 2022, effective from 01 Jan 2023, to amend provisions in Federal Decree Law No. 8 of 2017. This law amends 25 existing articles and introduces…

A VAT health check is a critical process that businesses must undertake to ensure compliance with VAT regulations set forth by the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). VAT regulations in the UAE are complex and frequently updated, making it challenging for businesses to keep up with the latest requirements. Therefore, a VAT health check is an essential tool to help businesses identify any potential gaps in their VAT compliance, reduce the risk of errors or non-compliance, and ensure that they are meeting all of their VAT obligations.