Abu Dhabi — Mubasher: The UAE’s Federal Tax Authority (FTA) on Wednesday announced that it will begin the second phase of the Tax Refunds for Tourists Scheme on Sunday, 16 December.
All preparations have been completed before launching phase two which will expand the scheme to 12 air, land and sea ports across the GCC country, the FTA added.
On 18 November, the FTA had officially started the digital system for the Tax Refunds for Tourists Scheme.
The scheme entailed issuing value-added tax (VAT) refund claims for eligible tourists to recover tax incurred on their purchases as of Sunday, 18 November at Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah International Airports.
Phase two will add three further airports, namely Al Ain International Airport, Al Maktoum International Airport, and Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, the FTA noted.
It will also cover two seaports, namely Zayed Port in Abu Dhabi and Port Rashid in Dubai - and four land ports of Al Ghuwaifat Border Post in Abu Dhabi, Hili Border Port and Al Madheef Border Crossing in Al Ain, and Dubai’s Hatta Border Exit.
“We have witnessed great turnout among retailers to register for the Tax Refunds for Tourists Scheme and their numbers continue to increase,” FTA director general Khalid Ali Al Bustani commented.
He highlighted that the number of tax refund requests processed under the scheme’s phase one amounted to over 3,800 daily transactions.
The implementation of the scheme boosts the UAE’s appeal as a tourist destination, spurs internal trade, and enhances the GCC country’s status as a commercial hub for the region, Al Bustani said.
