United Arab Emirates (UAE)
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| Tax Statutes |
Description |
| Corporate Tax (CT) |
- The Ministry of Finance (‘the MoF’) issued Ministerial Decision (MD) No. 229 of 2025 regarding Qualifying Activities and Excluded Activities (repealing the previous MD no. 265 of 2023), which is effective from 1 June 2023
- The MoF issued MD No. 230 of 2025 on Specification of Recognized Price Reporting Agencies (for the purposes of Ministerial Decision No. 229 of 2025 specified above)
- The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) issued Public Clarification (CTP008) on Corporate Tax treatment of family wealth management structures
- The MoF signed the Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement on the Automatic Exchange of Information under the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF). CARF implementation is scheduled to go-live in 2027, with the first exchanges of information expected in 2028.
Framework establishes a mechanism for the automatic exchange of tax-related information on crypto-asset activities, ensuring that the UAE provides certainty and clarity to the crypto-asset sector while upholding the principles of global tax transparency
- The FTA issued Public Clarification (CTP009) on application of the valuation method under the transitional rules (as set out in Ministerial Decision No. 120 of 2023 on disposal of Qualifying Immovable Property by a real estate developer)
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| Excise Tax |
- The FTA issued Public Clarification (EXTP012) on transition to a tiered-volumetric model of Excise Tax for Sweetened Drinks
- Cabinet Decision No. 99 of 2025 issued on Excise Goods, Excise Tax Rates and the Methods of Calculating the Excise Price (effective from 09 September 2025)
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| VAT |
- Cabinet Decision No. 100 of 2025 issued for amendment in the VAT Executive Regulation (effective from 29 September 2025) introducing clauses relating to Electronic Invoices and Credit Notes
- The FTA issued an updated VAT guide on Input VAT apportionment (VATGIT1)
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| E-Invoicing |
- The MoF released two MDs clarifying the scope and timelines for implementation of E-invoicing regime in the UAE (MD no. 243 and 244 of 2025). E-invoicing to be rolled out in a phased manner, pilot programme to commence from 1 July 2026.
A list of pre-approved e-invoicing service providers also been released by the MoF
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Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)
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| Regional Head Quarter (RHQ) |
The KSA released draft rules regulating the licensing and supervision of the activity of regional headquarters of multinational companies and open for public consultation until 9 October 2025 |
| White Land Tax (WLT) |
The implementing regulations for WLT has been published in the official gazette, the approval of amendments under the WLT system was done in April 2025 |
| Customs |
The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) issued a new decision adding an additional clause to the National Rules of Origin to ease out the compliance burden on the importers |
Kingdom of Bahrain
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| VAT |
The National Bureau for Revenue (NBR) issued updated guides on VAT registration and VAT Transportation guide |
| Economic Substance Regulations (ESR) |
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MoIC) set the deadline of 23 October 2025 to submit the annual ESR return for the reporting period FY 2024 |
Sultanate of Oman
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| E-Invoicing |
The Oman Tax Authority (OTA) announced timelines to roll out E-Invoicing system in Oman through emails to selected top 100 companies. Roll out of first phase E-invoicing system would be by Aug 2026 and E-invoicing implementation completion for all phases to be completed by Aug 2028 |
| VAT and Excise Tax |
The OTA announced online VAT and Excise refund system service for Embassies and Diplomats through e-services portal |
| Excise Tax |
The deadline for implementation of phase three of digital tax stamp (DTS) on excise goods is 01 November 2025 |
| Oman Tax Authority (OTA) |
The OTA launched a new Tax portal www.taxoman.gov.om |
| Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) |
- Oman ratifies DTAA with Bahrain and Kazakhstan
- DTAA with Cyprus entered into force
- DTAA with Iraq signed
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