Dubai: H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the UAE, chaired the latest Board meeting of the Federal Tax Authority (FTA). The meeting focused on reviewing the Authority's development projects aimed at enhancing the national tax system's legislative and procedural framework in alignment with international best practices. The goal is to improve the quality of services provided to taxpayers.
According to Emirates News Agency, Sheikh Maktoum highlighted the significant milestones achieved by the UAE's tax system in recent years. These accomplishments have reinforced the tax system's role in supporting financial sustainability and boosting the country's global competitiveness. Sheikh Maktoum urged the FTA team to persist with its development and modernisation plans, emphasizing the importance of sustaining achievements and further strengthening the Authority's role in advancing the UAE's sustainable development. He underscored the necessity of enhancing FTA services in line with the government's digital transformation strategies, with a focus on customer experience and operational efficiency to achieve global service excellence benchmarks.
During the meeting, H.H. reviewed a report on the corporate tax implementation, which recorded some of the highest compliance rates globally. By the end of September, the number of corporate tax registrants exceeded 651,000, reflecting significant growth in compliance related to tax return filings, annual declarations, and timely tax payments. These results were credited to the ease and efficiency of procedures offered through the 'EmaraTax' digital tax services platform, which effectively handles thousands of requests daily. The call centre also provides prompt taxpayer support, particularly during peak periods.
Corporate tax return submissions and payment processing were completed seamlessly even during peak periods, emphasizing the effectiveness of the legislative and procedural framework, which aligns with international best practices and features advanced digital compliance systems. The FTA has conducted extensive awareness campaigns across all emirates and through digital communication channels, providing businesses with clear information and guidance to enhance tax awareness and facilitate accurate voluntary compliance. The Authority continues to implement enhancements under the 'Zero Digital Bureaucracy' programme to streamline procedures further.
The FTA Board approved the Authority's proposed budget for 2026 and endorsed several executive resolutions related to its administrative and operational policies and core activities. The meeting also reviewed the latest updates on the E-Invoicing Project, jointly executed by the Ministry of Finance and the FTA, including legislative and digital system requirements completed to date.
The Board approved the operational policies for a new mechanism to calculate excise tax on sweetened drinks, based on a tiered volumetric model linking the tax rate to the sugar content of each beverage. It reviewed the steps taken by the FTA to ensure early preparedness for the mechanism's implementation, including the development of electronic systems and proactive awareness initiatives to ensure a smooth transition.
During the meeting, the Board also reviewed a report outlining the FTA's recent achievements and operational results. The report showed that the Authority approved new refund applications submitted by UAE citizens for VAT paid on the construction of their newly built residences, amounting to AED115.4 million during August and September. The report further indicated that the number of VAT registrants reached 547,000, while excise tax registrants totalled 1,777, and the number of registered tax agents stood at 806.