UAE: Soon, pay taxes and get refunds in one digital platform

A new platform — set to be launched later this year — is bound to enhance the way taxpayers can access the services of the country's Federal Tax Authority (FTA).

Called EmaraTax, the portal will allow users to pay taxes and obtain refunds in just a few clicks. It also boosts the FTA's ability to administer taxes in the UAE, and enables better, faster decision-making and earlier engagement with taxpayers who need support.

EmaraTax represents a major milestone in the FTA's ambition to be a leading, digitalised, tax administration in full recognition of the UAE’s national digital agenda.

Providing online access to a larger number of FTA services than ever before, the platform offers a range of significant enhancements that will benefit individual taxpayers, tax agents, legal representatives, foreign missions and diplomats, customs bodies and verification agencies, among others.

It is a modern tax administration ecosystem that integrates with other influential government entities, such as the UAE Central Bank and national technology-based programmes including the UAE Pass.

EmaraTax is also mobile-ready, and the app will be launched shortly after the new platform goes live in November.

The project represents the culmination of several months of extensive efforts — which area geared towards helping taxpayers manage their taxes in a simpler, faster, more transparent manner.

The FTA’s new system aligns with the UAE Digital Government Strategy 2025 and the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to leverage emerging technologies and build a solid digital infrastructure that serves the people and business community of the UAE.

• FTA strengthening cooperation mechanisms to improve tax administration