Abu Dhabi- November 11, 2020:

The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) confirmed that several general Value Added Tax (VAT) rules apply to e-commerce transactions, in addition to a number of special VAT rules specifically applied to e-commerce transactions. E-commerce refers to the supplies of goods and services on digital platforms, via computers or mobile phones purchased from websites or electronic applications.

The workshop saw the participation of 225 accredited tax agents and a number of FTA officials. The FTA gave a presentation on how to apply VAT on the supplies of goods and services made within the e-commerce framework and how to calculate VAT on these supplies. The FTA also presented an overview of e-commerce, the principles of VAT on the supply of goods via e-commerce and the supply of electronic services, and the effects of VAT on electronic markets using practical examples. The presentation indicated that all goods and services purchased through online shopping sites are generally subject to 5% VAT if the place of supply is in the UAE. The tax is also applied to most of the goods that are sold inside the UAE; subject to some exceptions per the VAT legislation (such as medicines sold on websites). Additionally, the import of goods is subject to VAT.

His Excellency Khaled Ali Al Bustani, Director General of the FTA, stressed that the number of FTA accredited tax agents is increasing steadily, in line with the continuous growth of taxable persons within the tax system. H.E. Al Bustani said: “The number of accredited tax agents increased in the first 10 months of 2020 by more than 10% to 515, compared to 468 in the same period last year. This increase provides more opportunities for taxpayers wishing to deal with the FTA through tax agents by offering them an extensive, constantly-updated list of approved agents on the FTA’s website.”

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