UAE Cabinet approves VAT refund for tourists

Abu Dhabi: The UAE Cabinet has adopted a decision to implement the value added tax (VAT) refund system for tourists, which will integrate between retail outlets with tax refund points in line with the government's efforts to achieve the efficient implementation of the tax system in the UAE.

According to a press statement, the new tax refund system supports the growth of the tourism sector in the UAE and maintain its position as a global destination for tourists.

"The system will be implemented beginning the fourth quarter of 2018 in cooperation with



an international specialised company in tax recovery services," it added.

Non-resident tourists may refund VAT on purchases made at participating retailers, provided that such goods are not exempt from the tax system, through designated refund outlets.

The tourism sector contributes directly to the local economy. The number of passengers through the UAE's airports reached 123 million passengers in 2017, and the total contribution of the tourism sector to the country's Gross Domestic Product reached 11.3 per cent in 2017, equivalent to Dh154.1 billion.