News FTA and Planet Tax Free announce world’smost innovative, 100% digital VAT-refund scheme for tourists His Excellency Khalid Al Bustani: “The new system is part of the FTA’s proactive services.” Dubai, United Arab Emirates: The United Arab Emirates Federal Tax Authority (FTA), in partnership with Planet Tax Free, today launched the world’s most innovative, 100% digital VAT-refund scheme for tourists. The paperless procedure is considered the most advanced solution of its kind in the world and is a reflection of the government’s continuous adoption of proactive solutions based on the concept of proactive government work, to meets the requirements of the future and positively reflect on customers. The announcement was made at a joint press conference in the presence of H.E. Khalid Ali Al Bustani, Director General of the UAE Federal Tax Authority and Eyad Al-Kourdi, General Manager of Planet Tax Free, the operator of the tax refund system for tourists in the UAE. The integrated innovative system was demonstrated at the press conference, showcasing the strength of using electronic invoices issued at the point of sale registered within the authority’s system, instead of traditional paper invoices. The new solution is integrated electronically between retail outlets and the tax refund scheme, ensuring a seamless digital process of issuing, sending, modifying and saving invoices for tourists. Khalid Ali Al Bustani, Director General of the UAE Federal Tax Authority said, “The launch of the new innovative system is part of the authority’s continuous development plans, by adopting best-in-class standards to enhance UAE’s competitiveness in all sectors, including tourism. This is in-line with the framework of the government digital strategy towards the smart transformation of its services. Furthermore, focusing on the virtual management of proactive services provides an innovative model that reflects the leadership and excellence of the government work system in the UAE by proactively providing services for customers, to complete their transactions easily, easily and quickly”. His Excellency added; “UAE has succeeded in strengthening the foundations of one of the most advanced digital infrastructures in the world, thanks to the vision of our wise leadership to anticipate future strategies and improve quality of life and sustainability. The development of these services raises the overall wellbeing of society and cultivates happier citizens and visitors. Encouraging innovation and excellence is one of the basic components of digital transformation to meet the requirements of systems integration.” • Tourist VAT Refund transactions double to 2.31 million during the first eight months of 2022
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