Law on 5 per cent VAT passed in UAE; house rents set to rise

Business owners must pay a five per cent value-added tax (VAT) starting January 2018, announced the Federal National Council (FNC) on Wednesday in the UAE capital.

The FNC approved the draft law, which serves as a legal framework and organises all the regulations of taxes, which aims to generate revenue for the federal government and enabling a sustainable economic growth.
10 things you should know about VAT in UAE

Private businesses making Dh370,000 and more a year will have to pay VAT.

There are currently more than 450,000 private owned companies in the UAE, and the number is expected to soon reach 600,000, which will see a growth in the annual GDP, said Obaid Humaid Al Tayer, the Minister of State for Financial Affairs.

Last year, the GCC countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman, signed an agreement to implement a VAT of five per cent.
How will VAT in UAE affect your pocket?

Al Tayer said the law will be implemented in the UAE on January 1, 2018. However, all GCC members have until January 1, 2019 to implement the rule.

"VAT is the only law that is currently with the legislative committee, as well as the selective items tax on tobacco, fizzy drinks and energy drinks."

The minister said the effect of the VAT on people in general, including residents and consumers, will start with 1.3 per cent and will drop with time, whereas businesses will face 0.06 per cent, and 0.04 on gross domestic product (GDP) growth when implemented.
No VAT refund for UAE tourists?

The law will also provide the authority measures to address procedures for tax collectors, tax auditing, tax avoidance, violations and the penalties.

The passed draft law also stipulates that fines for those avoiding the pay their taxes should not exceed five times the value of the evaded tax.

The minister said that by 2021 the aim is to generate 80 per cent of UAE's economy by non-oil sectors, while the remaining 20 per cent generated by oil, as opposed to the current 80 per cent GDP.

Selective items tax