Abu Dhabi Chamber, Federal Tax Authority organise second workshop on VAT

The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in co-operation with the Federal Tax Authority, has organised an awareness workshop on applying the tax system in the UAE, titled "VAT for Real Estate Sector and Registration Mechanism."

The workshop aimed at spreading awareness among real estate companies on the mechanism of applying value added tax, VAT, in the country.

Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Deputy Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Chamber, said, "The first workshop on the new VAT system witnessed unprecedented attendance with more than 600 people, who represent different private sector companies, attending the workshop.

"Through this workshop, we aim to spread awareness among real estate developers and companies about the value added tax in this sector and exchange ideas and points of view as well as answer their queries," he added.

Al Qubaisi pointed out that there will be a third workshop on 20th August titled "VAT for Importers, Exporters, and Registration Mechanism."

Sarah Al-Habshi, Head of the Tax Section at the Federal Tax Authority, said that the tax law will be published during the third quarter of 2017, whereas the executive procedures will be released in the fourth quarter of the year.

She noted that the website of the Federal Tax Authority will be ready within two weeks and will include a manual on registering electronically through an e-portal, which will be launched in the coming period. She also informed that when a company registers in the tax system, it will receive a tax reference number.

"Registration takes approximately 15 minutes," she added.

Al-Habshi pointed out that there will be special rules for the real estate sector since there are things that can be considered as supply and others that can be called services.