FTA launches initiative to promote tax compliance

ABU DHABI / WAM

The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) announced a new campaign as part of its efforts to communicate directly and consistently with businesses.
The “Tax Clinic” seeks to increase the number of registered taxable businesses and promote compliance with the timely submission of tax returns and payment of due taxes.
The campaign kicks off on August 12, in Ras al-Khaimah, before moving on to Fujairah and then the rest of the emirates for a duration of three months, where representatives from the authority will be present at the clinic to answer taxpayer queries regarding registration with the FTA and other tax obligations.
They will encourage those who are yet to register for Value Added Tax (VAT) to promptly do so in order to avoid administrative penalties. The experts will also introduce attendees to the procedures required for submitting accurate tax returns and settling due taxes.
A press statement issued on Wednesday explained that the “Tax Clinic” campaign will be organised as a collaboration between the FTA and the depar- tments of economic development and municipalities across all the emirates. A team of analysts and experts from the FTA’s Registration and Taxpayer Services will go on an extensive tour.
The first stage will take place from August 12 to 14 in Ras al-Khaimah, moving on to Fujairah from August 26 to 28, then Umm Al Qaiwain from September 2 to 4, and Ajman from September 9 to 11.
The campaign will return to Ras al-Khaimah from 16th to 18th September, moving on to Sharjah from September 23 to 25, then Fujairah again from September 30 to October 2, Umm Al Quwain from October 7 to 9, Ajman from October 14 to 16, back to Fujairah from October 21 to 23, before concluding with a third and final stop in Ras al-Khaimah from October 28 to 30.
The Director-General of FTA, Khalid Ali Al Bustani, said, “The FTA has always been adamant to reach out to businesses subject to the UAE tax system in any way possible. To that end, we launched the ‘Tax Clinic’ as a new and innovative campaign to spread tax awareness among all business sectors, particularly, small and medium enterprises, SMEs. It allows us to be closer to them, to answer their questions, address their concerns, and provide them with all the tax-related information they need without having to visit the authority’s headquarters. We will instead be moving closer to them through a team of experts.
“The FTA experts conducting the ‘Tax Clinic’ will address all tax concerns raised by representatives of taxable businesses, answer queries and address chal- lenges that face them. They will provide guidance with regards to registering for VAT, preparing and submitting tax returns, paying due taxes and avoiding the most common mistakes or technical difficulties associated with these responsibilities.”