Social media influencers’ services subject to VAT

ABU DHABI: The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has clarified in a bulletin that services provided by artists and social media influencers (SMIS) for consideration are subject to Value Added Tax.

The bulletin outlines that VAT applies to such services provided by artists and social media influencers that include, but are not limited to, any online promotional activities performed on behalf of other businesses for a consideration, such as promoting a product in a blog or a video or otherwise promoting a business on a social media post, any physical appearances; marketing and advertising related activities; providing access to any social media influencers’ networks on social media, and any other services that the SMIS may provide for a consideration.

This announcement was shared in the latest Basic Tax Information Bulletin issued by the FTA on the tax treatment of services provided by artists and social media influencers, according to WAM.

The bulletin clarified that if an artist or influencer incurs any costs in providing a service and subsequently recovers that cost from its client, such reimbursement falls within the scope of VAT in the UAE.

AJMAN UNIVERSITY OPENS COVID-19 SCREENING AND VACCINATION CENTRE: As part of its strategy to harness all its scientific, research and logistical expertise in the service of the community and to support the UAE determined efforts against COVID-19, Ajman University (AU), in collaboration with Ajman Medical Zone and Tamouh Healthcare Company, has launched a COVID-19 screening and vaccination centre on campus at the Sheikh Zayed Centre for Exhibitions and Conferences.

This initiative is part of a scientific research partnership between AU and Tamouh Healthcare Company in order to serve the community. The centre, which operates 7 days a week and 12 hours a day, will offer free of charge DPI and PCR tests and Covid-19 vaccine. It includes two sections, one for men and the other for women, and all the tools and materials needed by the medical staff to conduct the COVID-19 tests and administer the vaccine. People wishing to receive the vaccine or undertake the COVID-19 tests must present their Emirates ID and abide by the precautionary measures at the centre, such as wearing masks and respecting social distancing.

Sincethebeginningofthecrisis,auhasbeenkeen to take all precautionary measures in accordance with the government’s guidelines to contribute effectively to the health and safety of its faculty, staff and students. Dr. Karim Seghir, AU Chancellor, expressed his happiness and pride on this national pioneering initiative. “We are proud that AU is the very first university in the UAE to provide these services amid the current unprecedented circumstances in order to ensure the safety and health of the community and flaten the curve,” he said.