Foreign VAT Refunds Guide from United Arab Emirates (UAE)
The following information details the requirements needed to be eligible for a VAT refund in United Arab Emirates (UAE). These include claimable expense types, the UAE VAT rates and deadlines, as well as claiming periods.
What Expenses are Claimable for VAT Refund in UAE?
What are the United Arab Emirates VAT Rates?
In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the standard VAT rate, which is applied to most goods and services, is as follows:
There are exceptions to this standard rate. Certain goods and services are zero-rated (0%) or exempt from VAT
Goods and services which fall under this category include certain healthcare and educational services, international transportation, investment in gold, silver, and platinum, newly constructed residences, and certain oil and gas activities.
Services like certain financial services, residential properties, bare land, and local passenger transport are exempt from VAT.
How to Get VAT Refunds from the United Arab Emirates for Your Business?
- Determine Eligibility: Businesses registered outside the UAE can claim VAT refunds on costs incurred in the UAE. Check if your business meets eligibility requirements.
- Gather Required Documentation: Collect original invoices and other relevant documents related to the VAT incurred in the UAE.
- File a VAT Refund Request: Submit the VAT refund request to the Federal Tax Authority (FTA). The reclaim window for VAT refund requests for the 2021 calendar year opened on March 1, 2022.
- Wait for Processing: It may take some time for the FTA to process your VAT refund request. Monitor the status of your request through an account in the UAE's tax system.
- Receive the Refund: Once your VAT refund request is approved and processed, you will receive the refund.
Frequently Asked Questions About UAE VAT Recovery
August 31 for all countries.
The following countries:
• Austria
• Bahrain
• Belgium
• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Iceland
• Isle of Man
• Kuwait
• Under specific circumstances, Lebanon
For businesses in Namibia and South Africa, note that refunds are only granted for goods exported, not for services consumed in the UAE and expenses relating to goods that get exported from a designated UAE port within 90 days, respectively. The services clause does not apply to South Africa.
The remaining countries include:
• Luxembourg
• The Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Oman
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• South Korea
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• The United Kingdom
• Zimbabwe
January-December of the previous year.
It can take up to 6 months depending on complexity of the claim.
Need Help with Your VAT Refund from United Arab Emirates?
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