UAE ruler issues decree to start value-added taxes in 2018

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – The ruler of the United Arab Emirates has issued a decree that sets the stage for value-added taxes to start being collected in the country beginning in January.

The state-run WAM news agency carried a statement Sunday on the decree issued by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s president and the ruler of oil-rich Abu Dhabi.

WAM said the 5-per cent tax “is to be imposed on the import and supply of goods and services at each stage of production and distribution, including what is deemed to be a supply.”

All six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council have agreed to begin collecting so-called VAT taxes, though others may begin later than January. The GCC includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.