Dubai: The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has issued the Taxpayer Charter, an official document that provides comprehensive definitions for several important rights and obligations for taxpayers in the United Arab Emirates. This move is in keeping with its commitment to maintaining transparency and clarity standards throughout the tax system in the nation.
The Charter forms part of the Authority’s efforts to raise awareness among taxpayers about their rights and obligations, to ensure self-compliance with tax regulations.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, FTA Director General, said that, “The Federal Tax Authority is dedicated to fulfilling all aspects of its role as the government body tasked with upholding transparency and clarity standards across the UAE tax system, as well as ensuring the seamless and effective implementation of the UAE tax system and all relevant laws and regulations. A major cornerstone of that role is raising awareness among taxpayers, as well as all other stakeholders, about the rights they enjoy under the system, but also about the obligations they are expected to meet.”
“Introducing the official Taxpayer Charter is a significant step towards achieving this objective, as it outlines the main obligations taxpayers must fulfil to ensure compliance with tax laws, while also educating them about their rights. The Charter, therefore, serves to ensure transparency in the tax system, while enhancing the quality of the services that the Authority offers its customers, in line with the UAE Government’s directives to promote excellence in operations,” Al Bustani added.
The Taxpayer Charter outlines a set of rights for taxpayers in the UAE tax system, noting that they have the right to fair, professional, and respectful treatment by the FTA and its staff; consistent application of relevant tax legislation; privacy and confidentiality; and consideration of the facts and circumstances affecting them when dealing with the Authority.
Moreover, taxpayers have the right to expect responsiveness on the part of the Federal Tax Authority to their requests, as well as the right to obtain accurate and reliable information from the FTA to help meet their obligations, the right to be represented by a listed Tax Agent or appointed legal representative, to submit an appeal about a FTA decision, and to submit complaints about the services provided by the Authority.