Policy update

Policy & Legal Updates

UAE Updates E-Invoicing Rules as China-UAE Strategic Alignment Talks Advance

Chinese and UAE officials met in Beijing to align China's 15th Five-Year Plan with the 'We the UAE 2031' vision and expand bilateral trade. Concurrently, the UAE Ministry of Finance confirmed updated e-invoicing timelines, requiring large businesses to appoint service providers by 30 October 2026 ahead of the January 2027 mandate. The decentralized Peppol-based system will apply to B2B and B2G transactions across the Emirates.

Policy & Legal Updates

UAE Digitises Tourist VAT Refunds, Accelerating Processing to 24 Hours

The UAE Federal Tax Authority and Planet Tax Free have implemented a fully digital VAT refund system for departing travelers. The new framework cuts processing times from nine days to one business day for refunds up to Dh35,000.

Policy & Legal Updates

UAE Federal Tax Authority Consults Businesses to Streamline Tax Compliance and Procedures

The UAE Federal Tax Authority held an outreach session with business owners and taxpayers in Dubai to discuss tax system developments and compliance efficiency. The consultation supports the third cycle of the Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme to simplify corporate tax and VAT workflows. Discussions also covered operational challenges and the advisory role of licensed Emirati Tax Agents.

Policy & Legal Updates

UAE MoHRE Clarifies End-of-Service Gratuity Calculations and 14-Day Payment Deadline

The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has issued awareness guidance on end-of-service gratuity calculations and employer payment deadlines under the UAE Labour Law. Employers must pay all outstanding dues within 14 days of an employment contract ending. Severance pay is capped at two years' wages and calculated on the employee's final basic salary.