Abu Dhabi-August 25, 2020:  Tax evasion and trade in inferior products and counterfeit goods are among the main challenges facing tax authorities around the world. As part of its on-going efforts to protect consumers from commercial fraud and combat tax evasion with various mechanisms and utilizing the latest technologies, the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has launched a smart application that can be applied to check on the legality of trademarked tobacco products.

The app enables consumers to scan the stamps placed on the tobacco packages to verify  that it is an Authority accredited digital tax stamp, ensure that these products meet the standard specifications, are not smuggled, and have been subjected to tax. Should the consumer discover that the stamps are not accredited, they can file a report to the FTA directly from the smart application. The Authority will then cooperate with the relevant authorities to take legal actions against violators.

The Authority said in a press release issued today that the application has been instigated under the banner, “Monitor yourself, fight fraud”, adding that users can install the app, known as ‘FTA DTS’, on their smart phones via the Apple Store and Google Play.

Commenting on the initiative, His Excellency Khalid Ali Al Bustani, Director-General of the Federal Tax Authority, said: “The ‘FTA DTS’ smart application is one of the effective tools that support the ‘Marking Tobacco and Tobacco Products Scheme’, which came into effect at the beginning of 2019 to combat tax evasion, protect public health and reduce the risks to consumers from the inferior products entering local markets.”