The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has approved 34,900 applications from UAE nationals for VAT refunds totaling Dh2.9 billion for newly built residences since the service’s inception over six years ago. This represents a 27.52% increase in applications and a 32% rise in monetary value compared to the previous year.
In 2023, 7,520 applications were processed, reflecting significant growth from prior years. Additionally, there has been a notable expansion in the VAT-refund scheme for tourists, with 17,847 retail outlets participating by the end of 2024, up from 16,357 the previous year. Self-service kiosks for tourist tax refunds increased from 82 to 97 during the same period.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, FTA Director-General, emphasized the authority’s commitment to digital transformation, highlighting initiatives like the ‘Maskan App’ for UAE nationals to claim refunds and a new VAT refund system for e-commerce purchases by tourists, enhancing efficiency and service quality in the tax sector.