The UAE will now offer value-added tax refunds for e-commerce purchases made by tourists during their stay in the Emirates. The move aims to boost the country's position as a tourism and e-commerce hub, the Ministry of Finance’s Federal Tax Authority (FTA) said on Monday.
The FTA developed the initiative in partnership with Planet, the authorised operator of the VAT refund system for tourists in the UAE. Under the new system, tourists can request VAT refunds directly through registered e-commerce platforms by submitting their travel document details at the time of purchase, before their orders are shipped.
The VAT refund registration is completed once the tourist’s identity is verified during delivery or online order fulfilment, the FTA said. Khalid Al Bustani, FTA director general, said the system reflects the UAE’s push for digital transformation and strengthens its position as a tourism hub.
“The VAT refund procedures are processed smoothly, quickly, and efficiently, from the moment of purchase until the refund is completed when the tourist departs the country,” Mr Al Bustani said.
The FTA said the new system also ensures compliance with tax legislation. The UAE introduced a 5 per cent VAT on a majority of goods and services in January 2018 as part of its plans to diversify the economy and reduce its dependence on oil.
The VAT refund scheme for tourists has been available in the Emirates since November of the same year. Tourists who spend at least Dh250 ($68) on purchases can claim their VAT refunds at designated outlets before leaving the country.
In June 2019, Planet launched fully automated self-service kiosks across the country to provide tourists with a simple way to claim VAT refunds before departing the UAE. The UAE also introduced a paperless tax refund system in 2022 for tourists visiting the country, doing away with the need to retain receipts.
UAE's evolving tax landscape
The new system is part of a broader shift in the UAE’s tax landscape as the country introduces reforms to diversify its revenue sources and reduce reliance on hydrocarbons. The UAE implemented a federal corporate tax at a standard rate of 9 per cent, effective for financial years starting on or after June 1, 2023.
Last week, the country also announced that large multinational enterprises will be subject to a 15 per cent domestic minimum top-up tax on profits, up from the current 9 per cent, starting from financial years beginning on or after January 1, 2025.
The UAE is also considering new corporate tax incentives, including refundable tax credits of up to 50 per cent for research and development activities starting in 2026 and for high-value employment roles from January next year. These would be intended to boost innovation, attract top talent and enhance the country’s global economic competitiveness.
During the first three quarters of this year, the UAE government generated revenue of Dh272.6 billion from taxes, according to Ministry of Finance data.
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 Cabriolet
Price, base / as tested: Dh275,250 / Dh328,465
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder
Power: 245hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm @ 1,300rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.0L / 100km
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Company%20Profile
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The specs: 2018 BMW X2 and X3
Price, as tested: Dh255,150 (X2); Dh383,250 (X3)
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder (X2); 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six-cylinder (X3)
Power 192hp @ 5,000rpm (X2); 355hp @ 5,500rpm (X3)
Torque: 280Nm @ 1,350rpm (X2); 500Nm @ 1,520rpm (X3)
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic (X2); Eight-speed automatic (X3)
Fuel consumption, combined: 5.7L / 100km (X2); 8.3L / 100km (X3)
Three tips from La Perle's performers
1 The kind of water athletes drink is important. Gwilym Hooson, a 28-year-old British performer who is currently recovering from knee surgery, found that out when the company was still in Studio City, training for 12 hours a day. “The physio team was like: ‘Why is everyone getting cramps?’ And then they realised we had to add salt and sugar to the water,” he says.
2 A little chocolate is a good thing. “It’s emergency energy,” says Craig Paul Smith, La Perle’s head coach and former Cirque du Soleil performer, gesturing to an almost-empty open box of mini chocolate bars on his desk backstage.
3 Take chances, says Young, who has worked all over the world, including most recently at Dragone’s show in China. “Every time we go out of our comfort zone, we learn a lot about ourselves,” she says.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Pox that threatens the Middle East's native species
Camelpox
Caused by a virus related to the one that causes human smallpox, camelpox typically causes fever, swelling of lymph nodes and skin lesions in camels aged over three, but the animal usually recovers after a month or so. Younger animals may develop a more acute form that causes internal lesions and diarrhoea, and is often fatal, especially when secondary infections result. It is found across the Middle East as well as in parts of Asia, Africa, Russia and India.
Falconpox
Falconpox can cause a variety of types of lesions, which can affect, for example, the eyelids, feet and the areas above and below the beak. It is a problem among captive falcons and is one of many types of avian pox or avipox diseases that together affect dozens of bird species across the world. Among the other forms are pigeonpox, turkeypox, starlingpox and canarypox. Avipox viruses are spread by mosquitoes and direct bird-to-bird contact.
Houbarapox
Houbarapox is, like falconpox, one of the many forms of avipox diseases. It exists in various forms, with a type that causes skin lesions being least likely to result in death. Other forms cause more severe lesions, including internal lesions, and are more likely to kill the bird, often because secondary infections develop. This summer the CVRL reported an outbreak of pox in houbaras after rains in spring led to an increase in mosquito numbers.
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
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THE SPECS
Engine: 3.5-litre supercharged V6
Power: 416hp at 7,000rpm
Torque: 410Nm at 3,500rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Fuel consumption: 10.2 l/100km
Price: Dh375,000
On sale: now
The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now
