Dh10,000 cap on daily VAT refund for tourists

The maximum valueadded tax (VAT) refund that can be given to a tourist in a 24-hour period has been capped at Dh10,000, according to Decision No 2 of 2018 issued by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance, and Chairman of the Board of the Federal Tax Authority (FTA).

The decision also stipulates that tax cannot be refunded under the scheme unless the total value of taxinclusive purchases issued by the same taxable person is Dh250 or more.

The decision comprises seven clauses and stipulates that VAT refund claims shall be provided by retailers participating in the tax refunds for tourists as of November 18.

An overseas tourist may get a refund at the Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah International airports as of next Sunday. The tourists may also recover VAT at the other airports, land and seaports in the UAE as of December 16.

The decision outlined the five steps that retailers must follow when a customer asks to make a purchase under the scheme, including age and identity verification.