VAT in UAE: what is exempted and what is not
Selected supplies in sectors such as transportation, real estate, financial services will be completely exempt from the VAT in UAE.
The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has announced the supplies that will be subject to Value Added Tax (VAT) as of January 1, 2018, revealing selected sectors that will be assigned zero-rated tax, such as education, healthcare, oil and gas, transportation and real estate.
Selected supplies in sectors such as transportation, real estate, financial services will be completely exempt from VAT, whereas certain government activities will be outside the scope of the tax system (and, therefore, not subject to tax). These include activities that are solely carried out by the government with no competition with the private sector, activities carried out by non-profit organisations.
The UAE Cabinet is expected to issue a Decision to identify the government bodies and non-profit organisations that are not subject to VAT. The below table outlines all supplies that will be subject to the 5% Value Added Tax, as well as zero-rated supplies and exempt supplies.
Check out below the list of goods/services taxed under VAT
- Food
- Electricity bills (Power)
- Jewellery
- Car rentals
- Smartphones
- Dining out
- Commercial rents (Renting out for commercial purposes)
- Plastic surgery
- Uniforms of private and public schools
- Water bills
- Cars
- Electronics
- Watches
- Entertainment
- Tenancy contracts
- Hotel
- Service apartment
- Private school books
Goods/services exempt from VAT
The following items/services will be VAT exempt:
- Medical fees
- Air travel
- Medicines
- Basic and preventive surgery
- Exam fees
- Local transport
- Residential rents
- Public school books
Source: Gulf News