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UAE Simplifies VAT Refund Process for Citizens Building Residences

The UAE Federal Tax Authority has overhauled VAT refund procedures for citizens building new homes under the Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme. The update reduces application data fields by 50% and processing times by 80%. A dedicated smart application called 'Maskan' was also launched to verify claims.

Published Source: Arabian Business
Issuing authority
Federal Tax Authority
Jurisdiction
United Arab Emirates
Publication date
October 30, 2026
Stage
Final rule
Official document
Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme / Maskan initiative
Illustration: A modern minimalist residential villa under construction in the UAE, with clear blue skies, contemporary architectural lines, and digita
Illustration

The UAE Federal Tax Authority (FTA) announced operational enhancements aimed at streamlining and accelerating value-added tax (VAT) refund procedures for UAE nationals building residences, according to Arabian Business.

The initiative, rolled out under the UAE's Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme, cut the required application data fields by 50%. Additionally, the average time required to complete and submit a refund claim decreased by 80%.

To facilitate verification, the FTA launched a specialized smart application named 'Maskan' designed to deliver faster and more accurate claim validation.

FTA officials stated that the reforms contributed to a rise in customer satisfaction, which increased from 83% in 2023 to 93% in 2026.

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