Brace for higher Dewa bills from January 2018

However, VAT is not applicable in respect of housing fee, sewerage fee, and irrigation fee, collected by Dewa on behalf of Dubai Municipality.

By Staff Report

Published: Tue 26 Dec 2017, 11:00 PM

Last updated: Thu 28 Dec 2017, 9:22 AM

The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) on Wednesday, in an SMS to its subscribers, reminded them that utility bills from January 2018 onwards will reflect the 5 per cent value-added tax.
"Effective 1st Jan 2018, the UAE is implementing 5% VAT. DEWA will reflect 5% VAT in your consumption bill," the message read.
VAT will be added in Dewa' consumption bill. However, VAT is not applicable in respect of housing fee, sewerage fee, and irrigation fee, collected by Dewa on behalf of Dubai Municipality. Knowledge fee and Innovation fee are also exempted from VAT, the utility said on its website.
The announcement follows a November report in Khaleej Times that said UAE residents will have to pay 5 per cent VAT on food, water and power and higher education from next year, according to analysts.
Girish Chand, director, MCA Management Consultants, said both Saudi and the UAE authorities have brought these categories under the VAT.
Khalid Al Bustani, director general of Federal Tax Authority said, the tourists in the UAE will also get refunds on the returns. He further said that they are working with the parties involved in the project.
Countdown revs up for VAT implementation in UAE

VAT on Education

Under the VAT regulation, higher education institutes which are more than 50 per cent funded by the government, will not be charged VAT but the rest will be.
Khalid Al Bustani, director general of Federal Tax Authority, on Wednesday said the tourists in the UAE will also get refunds on the returns. He said the authority is working with the parties involved on the project and expected to be rolled out ahead of VAT implementation.
Surandar Jesrani, partner and CEO, Morison MJS, said the education services shall be taxable at zero per cent only if it is supplied by a recognised educational institution and offer recognised curriculum.
Recognition should be given by the education ministry or competent government entity.
"In case of higher education institutions, the institution should be either owned by the Federal or local Government or receives more than 50 per cent of its annual funding directly from the Federal or local Government," he said.
Jesrani said a supply of goods or services provide by educational institutions directly related to above shall be zero-rated.
"We expect tuition fees, study material for the curriculum, medical fees, registration fees, admission fees, exam fees would be 0 per cent," he said.
However following services shall be taxable at 5 per cent even though provided by recognized educational institutions:
1. Goods & services supplied to persons who are not enrolled in the institute.
2. Any goods other than educational material provided which are not related to the curriculum of the educational institute.
3. Supply of School Uniforms as required by the educational institute.
4. Providing electronic devices irrespective of whether or not supplied as a part of educational services.
5. Foods & Beverages supplied at the educational institutions
6. Excursions or field trips unless directly related to the curriculum of the educational services.
7. Extracurricular activities provided by or through the educational institutions.
8. Supply of membership in a student organization.