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Federal Tax Authority, New Economy Academy kick off training for inaugural Emirati Tax Agent Programme cohort

Sat, 18 Apr 2026

Federal Tax Authority, New Economy Academy kick off training for inaugural Emirati Tax Agent Programme cohort

DUBAI, 18 April 2026: 2026 -- The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) and the New Economy Academy announced that training for 50 Emiratis as part of the inaugural Emirati Tax Agent Programme cohort has kicked off, with the aim of empowering Emirati talent and qualifying a new generation of certified tax agents.

The programme is part of the ‘The Emirates: The Startup Capital of the World’ national campaign, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to strengthen the UAE’s position as a leading global hub for entrepreneurship.

The programme aims to certify 500 Emirati tax agents through a 3-year intensive training course, allowing them to work as certified tax agents. It offers two accredited diplomas: the Diploma in Value Added Tax (VAT) and the Diploma in Corporate Tax.

Twenty-five Emiratis have joined the Diploma in Value Added Tax course, which covers the legal and regulatory framework of VAT, VAT registration and filing procedures, invoicing and accounting requirements, and relevant practical applications and case studies.

Another twenty-five Emiratis joined the Diploma in Corporate Tax, which covers fundamentals of the UAE corporate tax system, registration and disclosure procedures, tax liabilities and deductions, along with real case studies and hands-on exercises.

Abdulaziz Mohammed Al Mulla, Director-General of the Federal Tax Authority, emphasised that the start of practical training for the inaugural Emirati Tax Agent programme cohort marks a pivotal step in strengthening national participation within the tax system, noting that the programme aims to qualify a new generation of certified tax agents by providing Emiratis with integrated, specialised training pathways that lead to acquiring professional tax diplomas.

Al Mulla stated, “The memorandum of understanding signed between the FTA and New Economy Academy solidifies our cooperation and strategic partnership, expanding the scope of specialised training and promoting lifelong learning to foster a tax culture. This initiative aligns with FTA’s commitment to maintaining a compliance-oriented tax ecosystem that adheres to the highest standards of governance and transparency. Furthermore, it creates new pathways to refine the professional competencies of Emiratis within the tax sector and other related fields.”

He added, “FTA prioritises encouraging Emiratis to pursue careers as certified tax agents, by facilitating access and providing the support required to thrive in this promising sector. Experience over the past several years has consistently demonstrated that Emirati talent is capable of excelling within the tax and financial ecosystem and engaging with its requirements with the utmost proficiency.”

Dr. Laila Faridoon, CEO of New Economy Academy, stressed that the Emirati Tax Agent Programme reflects the Academy’s commitment to nurturing Emirati talent and preparing them for the demands of modern economy. As part of this commitment, the Academy offers advanced training that help qualify a new generation of tax specialists, thereby supporting the sustainability of the national economy and the UAE’s global competitiveness.

Dr. Faridoon added, “The programme focuses on building a solid knowledge base that enables participants to efficiently navigate professional challenges and develop innoVATive solutions for tax practices. The ultimate goal is to foster a culture of excellence among Emiratis and support the UAE’s vision for a sustainable, knowledge-based economy.”

The Emirati Tax Agent Programme offers participants a comprehensive understanding of UAE VAT and Corporate Tax laws and regulations, and the eligibility to qualify and register as certified tax agents with the Federal Tax Authority.

Participants gain skills in marketing and promoting tax services, analytical and practical expertise in providing world-class professional tax advisory and the confidence to pass professional exams and receive formal recognition as tax agents.

The programme also paves the way for graduates to pursue diverse career paths in the public and priVATe sectors, whether by registering as certified tax agents or by offering tax consultancy to corporations and institutions.

Federal Tax Authority Announces Entry into Force of the Decision Amending Administrative Penalties Imposed for Violations of Tax Legislation and Calls on Registrants to Benefit from the Advantages of the New Decision

Wed, 15 Apr 2026

Federal Tax Authority Announces Entry into Force of the Decision Amending

Administrative Penalties Imposed for Violations of Tax Legislation and Calls on

Registrants to Benefit from the Advantages of the New Decision

United Arab Emirates, 15 April 2026: The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has announced the entry into force of Cabinet Decision No. (129) of 2025 amending certain provisions of Cabinet Decision No. (40) of 2017 on administrative penalties imposed for violations of tax laws in the UAE, following its effective date on Tuesday, 14 April 2026.
The FTA confirmed that the Decision is intended to support taxable persons, ease the burden on them, and assist them in meeting their obligations and regularising their positions where any tax errors or violations exist, in a manner that enhances the UAE’s competitiveness in terms of ease of doing business. The Authority noted that the amendments provide further facilitations for persons registered for Value Added Tax and Excise Tax purposes, encourage voluntary compliance, and promote the prompt updating of tax records and correction of data held by the Authority, where required, as well as the rectification of tax positions.
His Excellency Abdulaziz Mohammed Al Mulla, Director General of the Federal Tax Authority, said: “The new amendment, which includes reductions in a number of administrative penalties imposed for violations of tax laws, comes within the framework of the wise leadership’s directives to implement the tax system in accordance with international best practices, in order to preserve the strong and sustained growth of the national economy and enhance transparency through establishing an ideal tax legislative environment characterised by flexibility and responsiveness to change, supported by continuous review and the sustainable development of tax legislation in line with evolving requirements.”
His Excellency added: “We call on tax registrants, where violations of tax legislation exist, to benefit from the significant advantages provided by the Decision, which introduces further facilitations aimed at reducing the tax burden on business sectors, thereby enabling them to strengthen their pivotal role in reinforcing the UAE’s leading position as a global financial and economic centre.”
The Director General continued: “The amendments support taxable persons in achieving voluntary compliance and rectifying their positions where violations exist. They also encourage registrants to notify the Authority of any cases that may require amendments to the information contained in their tax records and further encourage the prompt submission of voluntary disclosures, where required, without exposure to significant financial penalties.”
The FTA indicated that, pursuant to the new Decision amending certain provisions of the Cabinet Decision on administrative penalties imposed for violations of tax laws, many types of administrative penalties have either been reduced or had their calculation mechanisms amended. The reductions cover numerous administrative violations related to the application of the Federal Decree-Law on Tax Procedures, the Federal Decree-Law on Excise Tax, and the Federal Decree-Law on Value Added Tax.
The Authority explained that, under the amendments, the administrative penalty for the failure to submit data, records and tax-related documents in Arabic to the Authority when requested has been reduced from AED 20,000 to AED 5,000. The penalty for a registrant’s failure to notify the Authority of any case that may require amendment of the information pertaining to its tax record has been reduced from AED 5,000 for the first instance and AED 10,000 in the case of repetition, to the imposition of one of two penalties: AED 1,000 for each violation, and AED 5,000 in the event of repetition of the same violation within 24 months from the date of the last violation. In addition, the penalty for a legal representative of a taxable person failing to notify the Authority of his appointment within the prescribed time limits has been reduced from AED 10,000 previously to AED 1,000, provided that the penalties shall be payable from the legal representative’s own funds.
The FTA also noted that the amendments extend to administrative penalties relating to the following violations: failure by a taxable person to pay the payable tax within the time limits specified in the tax law; submission by a registrant of an incorrect tax return; submission by a taxable person or payer of tax of a voluntary disclosure in relation to errors in a tax return, tax assessment, or tax refund application; failure by a taxable person or payer of tax to submit a voluntary disclosure in respect of an error in a tax return, tax assessment, or tax refund application before being notified by the Authority of a tax audit; failure by a registrant to account for tax on behalf of another person where the registrant is required to do so under the tax law.

Federal Tax Authority Conducted 176,000 Market Inspection Visits in 2025, Up 89% Year-on-Year

Tue, 07 Apr 2026

Federal Tax Authority Conducted 176,000 Market Inspection Visits in 2025, Up 89% Year-on-Year

The FTA confiscated 29.5 million tobacco packs without Digital Tax Stamps and 7.6 million non-compliant excise goods packs

Abu Dhabi, 7 April 2026 - The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) announced a significant increase in the number of on-ground inspection visits carried out by its specialised teams, in cooperation with relevant authorities, reaching approximately 176,000 field inspection visits across local markets in all emirates during 2025. This reflects a year-on-year increase of around 89%, compared to approximately 93,000 inspection visits in 2024.

The Authority affirmed that this comes as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen supervisory and control measures aimed at combating tax evasion, enhancing tax compliance, and protecting consumers’ rights.

His Excellency Abdulaziz Al Mulla, Director General of the FTA, said: “The Authority continues its intensive efforts to contribute effectively to monitoring local markets, in cooperation with relevant authorities, to ensure compliance with tax legislation and procedures. FTA inspection operations rely on various electronic monitoring mechanisms to prevent the sale, circulation, or storage of products that do not comply with the requirements of Value Added Tax or Excise Tax, as applicable.”

He added that among the key mechanisms is the Tobacco Track and Trace System, which has undergone continuous development since its launch more than six years ago. Under this system, Digital Tax Stamps are affixed to tobacco product packs and registered in the Authority’s database. Each stamp includes electronically recorded information that can be scanned using a dedicated device used by authorised inspectors to verify that the applicable tax has been paid on such products.

He confirmed that the results of inspection campaigns conducted during 2025 reflect the success of the comprehensive oversight plans implemented with precision. The Authority is also intensifying its efforts to assist business sectors in complying with tax systems and procedures, as strategic partners, to support voluntary compliance and enable efficient and informed engagement with the tax system.

Sara AlHabshi, Tax Compliance Executive Director of the Tax Affairs Sector at the FTA, said: “The Authority is committed to protecting consumers from the circulation of harmful products that do not comply with the quality standards approved in the UAE. It is also committed to combating tax evasion through the precise implementation of the tax legislation and procedures, which clearly define all mutual obligations between the Authority and taxpayers, while ensuring full protection for consumers through strengthened oversight of the UAE markets.”

The Authority stated that its continuous control efforts resulted in the seizure and confiscation of 29.5 million non-compliant tobacco packs that did not bear Digital Tax Stamps during 2025, compared to approximately 11 million packs seized in 2024, representing an increase of 169%.

Additionally, approximately 7.6 million non-compliant packs of other excise goods were also seized, including carbonated drinks, energy drinks, and sweetened beverages, compared to approximately four million packs seized in 2024, reflecting an increase of more than 90%.

The Authority noted that the total value of tax dues and associated administrative penalties identified during inspection visits in 2025 exceeded AED 608 million, compared to AED 348 million in 2024, representing an increase of approximately 75%. The effective market monitoring contributed to detecting numerous establishments in violation of tax laws, and registration notifications were issued to non-compliant establishments.

Federal Tax Authority Obtains Corporate Ethical Procurement and Supply Certification for Third Consecutive Year

Sun, 05 Apr 2026

Federal Tax Authority Obtains Corporate Ethical Procurement and Supply Certification for Third Consecutive Year

Dubai, UAE, 5 April 2026: The UAE’s Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has today announced that, for the third consecutive year, it has received the “Corporate Ethical Procurement and Supply” Certification, awarded by the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), a leading global organisation specialising in procurement and supply chain standards.

This achievement reflects the Authority’s commitment to applying high standards of integrity, transparency, and governance in the management of procurement and supply operations, in line with international best practices. The FTA is the first tax authority globally to receive this certification and has been included in the Corporate Ethics Register, reinforcing its position in institutional governance.

The certification is considered among the leading professional accreditations granted to entities that demonstrate compliance with recognised standards of integrity, transparency, and respect for human rights within supply chains. It enhances governance frameworks, contributes to sustainable development objectives, and strengthens trust with partners.

H.E. Abdulaziz Mohammed Al Mulla, Director-General of the FTA, said that obtaining the certification for the third consecutive time represents a significant achievement within the Authority’s ongoing efforts to strengthen institutional performance and governance practices.

His Excellency noted that the achievement reflects the FTA’s leadership in establishing an integrated operational framework based on professional ethics, compliance, and sustainability, while continuing to develop its institutional environment in line with applicable governance standards, contributing to enhancing trust, transparency, and efficiency.

His Excellency added that the certification recognises the efforts of the procurement and contracts team, whose work over three consecutive cycles has contributed to achieving this outcome, reflecting the Authority’s ongoing commitment to strengthening operational efficiency and institutional credibility at both regional and international levels.

This achievement reflects the FTA’s strategy to adopt recognised international practices, promote corporate responsibility, and enhance transparency and efficiency in a manner that supports the interests of the country and society.

For his part, Jasim Haddad, Chief Executive Officer of FTA's Support Services Sector, said: “The FTA’s attainment of this certification for three consecutive years reflects its commitment to continuing its development in the field of procurement and supply. It also confirms its sustained success in establishing an operating framework based on governance, procedural efficiency, and adherence to the highest professional standards.”

Haddad also stated that this achievement highlights the FTA’s ongoing efforts to develop its policies and operational mechanisms in this field, in a manner that enhances integrity and transparency, while supporting its direction and goal of continuing to achieve institutional excellence, which reinforces its position as a leading entity in the tax sector.

In this context, Sulaiman Abdullah, Director of Administrative Affairs at the FTA, was recognised upon obtaining the international professional Fellow-level accreditation, in recognition of his contributions to developing procurement and supply processes and enhancing related procedures and operations. This accreditation is among the highest professional certifications in the field.

The FTA also recognised Mariam Saeed Al Ali upon graduating from the CIPS Practitioner Programme, a specialised programme aimed at developing professional competencies in procurement and supply in line with international standards. This reflects the Authority’s efforts to support and develop national capabilities that contribute to institutional performance and efficiency.

Director General of the Federal Tax Authority: We Take Pride in the Enduring Legacy of “Zayed the Giving” and His Pioneering Role in Advancing Humanitarian Work Globally

Sun, 08 Mar 2026

Abu Dhabi, March 2026: His Excellency Abdulaziz Mohammed Al Mulla, Director General of the Federal Tax Authority (FTA), affirmed that the commemoration of Zayed Humanitarian Day, observed on the 19th of Ramadan to mark the anniversary of the passing of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, represents a significant national occasion. It is a time to express our pride, gratitude and appreciation for the enduring legacy of the Founding Father of the United Arab Emirates. His visionary leadership laid the foundations for a humanitarian approach that continues to inspire the region and the world.

His Excellency stated: “Zayed Humanitarian Day embodies the highest values of generosity and compassion, values that our wise leadership has consistently upheld and strengthened. Today, the United Arab Emirates stands among the world’s leading nations in charitable and humanitarian work. Through numerous initiatives, it continues to support millions of people globally. The UAE ranks among the leading donor countries in providing development assistance, delivering relief to those in need, and implementing endowment and charitable projects that make a lasting impact.”

His Excellency Al Mulla added: “On this day, we recall the achievements and noble legacy of ‘Zayed the Giving’, whose humanitarian initiatives remain firmly rooted and continue to serve as a benchmark for charitable work. We reaffirm our commitment to contributing to strengthening the values of solidarity, social cohesion, tolerance and positivity that define Emirati society, and to carrying this legacy forward for generations to come.”