Announcements
Qatar may Introduce 5% VAT in Summer 2023
date: 20230222
Organized By: VAT Calc
External URL: https://www.vatcalc.com/qatar/qatar-bides-its-time-on-vat-implementation/
Doha February 22, 2023:
Qatar’s VAT regime can be expected during 2023. The country is said to be progressing with plans to introduce a 5 percent VAT regime in the Summer and it is anticipated that its authorities may soon announce a value-added tax (VAT) law and executive regulation in the months to come.
VAT would affect most sales of goods and services in Qatar, with limited exemptions (e.g. financial services, insurance) and consumption tax relief. VAT-registered businesses will be able to claim credit for VAT paid on their expenditure, relating to their taxable business activities.
Qatar : GTA announces Detection of Tax Evasion Cases
date: 20230217
Organized By: General Tax Authority
External URL: https://www.iloveqatar.net/news/general/qr-500000-fine-penalties-legal-action-companies-tax-evasion-doha
Doha February 17, 2023:
General Tax Authority’s (GTA) Revenue Protection Team have identified tax evasion cases in the region by a group of individuals and companies. The GTA’s investigations revealed that two companies operating in the contracting sector had committed acts that constitute tax evasion crimes. The GTA has taken the necessary measures by referring these companies to Public Prosecution for legal action and to recover the evaded amounts, a total of QR 24 million, in addition to the penalties and fines stipulated by applicable laws.
The competent court has issued convictions against both the companies and their authorized signatory partner. GTA referred that tax evasion is a serious impediment to tax systems worldwide, adding that such criminal practices harm the national economy and compromise equality and fair opportunities among taxpayers while eroding the competitive advantage of compliant companies. Moreover, the GTA reiterated its commitment to combat tax evasion and take legal action against anyone guilty of such crimes.
The GTA is taking proactive measures across all its departments to foster voluntary tax compliance and enhance community confidence in the tax system. These ongoing efforts aim to minimize tax evasion and create an environment of greater tax compliance. Finally, GTA urges all taxpayers to strictly comply with the provisions and procedures outlined in the tax laws to avoid any potential legal consequences.
Qatar to introduce new Passenger Tax at its airports from April 2022
date: 20220131
Organized By: DOHA news
External URL: https://www.dohanews.co/qatar-introduces-new-passengers-tax-at-its-airports/
Doha – January 31, 2022:
Qatar Civil Aviation Authority announced that passengers arriving, leaving or transiting through Hamad International Airport will now have to pay extra service tax starting from April 1, 2022.
An official notice was sent to all airline managers and travel agents which included the amendment of the current fees and the introduction of new security and air freight infrastructure fees at Qatari airports.
The new tax will be applied to all tickets issued on or after February 1, 2022 and will be officially implemented from 12am Doha time on April 1, 2022.
To know more details about the fees to be paid by passengers click here.
Qatar: GTA published FAQs related to Transfer Pricing (TP)
date: 20210905
Organized By: General Tax Authority’s (GTA)
External URL: https://dhareeba.gov.qa/sap/bc/ui5_ui5/sap/zmcf_welcome/helpDoc/TransferPricingDeclarationMF_LFFAQs.pdf
Qatar- September 5, 2021:
GTA has published a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document on the Transfer Pricing (TP) declaration, Master and Local files on the Dhareeba Tax Portal. The FAQs guide taxpayers on several matters relating to TP compliance, Master file and Local file documentation requirements. Practical examples to illustrate and clarify TP cases are cited throughout the document.
Previously, the GTA issued Resolution No. 4 of 2020, which set forth the various filing thresholds and stated that the filing requirements apply to taxable years beginning on or after 1 January 2020.
The FAQs emphasize on the responsibility and importance of proper and robust documentation as required by the Executive Regulations.
View the FAQs on the Dhareeba tax portal.
Qatar: GTA extends transfer pricing filing deadline to 30 September
date: 20210726
Organized By: General Tax Authority’s (GTA)
External URL: https://bit.ly/2VbT09w
Qatar- July 26, 2021:
Through Decision No (8) of 2021 issued on 17 June, General Tax Authority (GTA) in Qatar announced an extension to the deadline for submitting a transfer pricing master file and local file for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020. The filing can be submitted by September 30, 2021, instead of June 30, 2021.
GTA issued transfer pricing regulations effective from January 1, 2020. Under Article (8) of Decision No 4 of 2020, resident entities and permanent establishments of non-resident entities in Qatar must submit transfer pricing documentation in the form of master file and local file if they undertake cross-border transactions and have a turnover of more than Qatari Riyal 50,000,000 (USD 14 million) in the financial year.
The objective of the master file is to provide the GTA with high-level information regarding the global business operations and transfer pricing policies of a taxpayer. The local file is meant to provide detailed transactional information within a certain jurisdiction. The deadline for documentation filing was six months following the end of the fiscal year i.e 30 June 2021.
The extension issued on 17 June is an exception to the provisions of Article (8) and will provide taxpayers with more time to collate their documents. Taxpayers need to ensure that their documentation is robust to support their transfer pricing policies.
Qatar and Rwanda Signs Double Tax Avoidance Agreement
date: 20210625
Organized By: General Tax Authority’s (GTA)
External URL: https://www.gta.gov.qa/en/qatar-and-rwanda-signs-double-tax-avoidance-agreement/
Doha- June 25, 2021:
The State of Qatar and the Republic of Rwanda have signed an agreement to avoid double taxation and prevent financial evasion between the governments of the two countries, at the General Tax Authority’s (GTA) headquarters in Doha.
The agreement was signed by His Excellency Ahmed bin Issa Al Mohannadi, the GTA’s President and His Excellency Francois Nkulikiyimfura, Rwanda’s Ambassador to Doha, in the presence of His Excellency Ambassador Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Al Dosari, Director of African Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The agreement aims to eliminate double taxation between the two countries, solve obstacles that may restrict the movement of capital and encourage trade exchange, increase investment opportunities and enhance international standards of transparency through the exchange of documented financial information.
Click here to read more.
GTA Extends Corporate Income Tax deadlines for Qatari companies (Aug 31) and Non-Qatari companies (Jun 30)
date: 20210624
Organized By: General Tax Authority’s (GTA)
External URL: https://www.gta.gov.qa/en/deadline-for-filing-tax-returns-for-qatari-companies-aug-31-non-qatari-companies-june-30/
Doha- June 24, 2021:
General Tax Authority (GTA) announced the extension of 2020 corporate income tax filing deadlines to:
- June 30, 2021 for foreign companies (Non-Qatari companies that have a foreign partner’s share)
- August 31, 2021 from June 30 for tax-exempt companies and permanent establishments owned by Qatari citizens and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) citizens
This came in light of the difficult circumstances prevalent in the country due to the epidemic, and in an attempt by the authority to enhance tax compliance and lessen the burdens on taxpayers.
The agency announced that simplified tax filing forms must be submitted by companies with capital of less than 1 million Qatari Riyal (US$274,725) and with annual revenues of less than 5 million Riyal (US$1.3 million).
Click here to read more.
Qatar GTA and Invenio launch an integrated digital tax administration system
date: 20210228
Organized By: ITP.net
External URL: https://www.itp.net/software/96245-qatar-rolls-out-integrated-digital-tax-administration-system-on-sap-s4hana
Qatar- February 25, 2021:
The General Tax Authority (GTA) and Invenio Business Solutions have successfully launched a state-of-the-art digital tax administration system, in Qatar.
The new system has transformed the tax administration lifecycle, digitalizing existing services and making them 100% contactless. Over 58,000 taxpayers have already registered on the comprehensive system, which supports multiple revenue types and offers 24×7 access to online services.
The GTA embarked on a national level change programme to modernize tax administration and enhance the taxpayer experience in the State. The country now has an agile platform, where evolving tax policies, laws and innovations can be built with ease.The SAP Tax and Revenue Management (TRM) solution on SAP S/4HANA provides end-to-end taxation management, advanced analytical processing and seamless data integration, whilst retaining data quality making it the perfect tax administration solution.
Click here to read more.
Qatar, Rwanda sign agreement to avoid double taxation
date: 20210228
Organized By: General Tax Authority’s (GTA)
External URL: https://gta.gov.qa/en/qatar-and-rwanda-signs-double-tax-avoidance-agreement/
Doha- February 28, 2021:
The State of Qatar and the Republic of Rwanda has signed an agreement to avoid double taxation and prevent financial evasion between the governments of the two countries, at the General Tax Authority’s (GTA) headquarters in Doha.
The agreement was signed by His Excellency Ahmed bin Issa Al Mohannadi, the GTA’s President and His Excellency Francois Nkulikiyimfura, Rwanda’s Ambassador to Doha, in the presence of His Excellency Ambassador Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Al Dosari, Director of African Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The agreement aims to eliminate double taxation between the two countries, solve obstacles that may restrict the movement of capital and encourage trade exchange, increase investment opportunities between the two sides through individuals and corporates, and enhance international standards of transparency through the exchange of documented financial information.
Click here to read more.
Qatar: Transfer Pricing Declaration Form now required on Dhareeba
date: 20210223
Organized By: Qatar General Tax Authority (GTA)
Qatar- February 23, 2021:The Qatar General Tax Authority (GTA) on February 2, 2021, verbally confirmed that a Transfer Pricing Form will be required for taxpayers for the financial years January 1, 2020 onwards. Taxpayers in Qatar are required to submit a transfer pricing declaration using the new tax administration portal – Dhareeba.
The Dhareeba system is currently equipped to accept transfer pricing declarations. This is only applicable for taxpayers having a specified revenue or asset value exceeding a threshold limit which is expected to be set at QAR 10 million.
The Transfer Pricing Form will require information on the details and nature of the taxpayer’s intra-group transactions, including the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) method applied by the taxpayer to determine that the transactions were conducted on an arm’s-length basis. In addition to the above information, the Transfer Pricing Form will also require taxpayers to provide additional transfer pricing related information.
NOTE:
Dhareeba is an electronic system that connects the General Tax Authority and its partners from the relevant government agencies and taxpayers. It automatically calculates and process the various types of tax to assist taxpayers in managing their tax transactions, in accordance with the Qatari tax laws.