Expos, or World Exhibitions, have been held for 170 years. They serve as a platform for presenting the most recent and significant innovations of the day. The world exhibition is being held in the Middle East for the first time in history. Dubai opens its doors to the Expo on October 1, 2021, with over 190 participating nations present to add their value to this Expo.
The Federal Tax Authority (“FTA”) has issued Cabinet Decision no. 1 of 2020 (“Cabinet Decision”) on the Refund of VAT on Goods and Services for countries and organizations participating in Expo 2020 Dubai. The Cabinet Decision cancels Cabinet Decision no. 1 of 2019, which was issued earlier by the FTA on the refund of VAT for participants for Expo 2020. In the Cabinet Decision, the FTA clarifies in more detail which participants are entitled to a VAT refund and which expenses are subject to the VAT refund.
These changes may have an impact on the participating countries or intergovernmental organizations of the Expo 2020 (“Participants”) which will take place as of October this year.
You can claim your VAT in any of the below-mentioned methods.
What is Claimable VAT?
Expenses incurred with VAT which is intended to be used for making taxable supplies can be recovered from the FTA.
Official participants of Expo 2020 having refund entitlement certificates can claim VAT expenses incurred even without providing taxable supplies, those types of expenses are listed below.
What is the Certificate of Refund Entitlement?
VAT Registered and non-registrant official participants of Expo 2020 should apply for a Refund Entitlement Certificate, only then they will be able to claim VAT on the expense incurred for any of the types of expenses explained above.
Official participants of Expo who have Tax Registration Number (TRN) and also who do not have Tax Registration Number (TRN) must apply for a Refund Entitlement Certificate from the Bureau of Expo 2020 in order to claim VAT refunds.
Who can apply for Refund Entitlement Certificate?
How to apply for Refund Entitlement Certificate?
Application for Refund Entitlement Certificate should directly be addressed to the Federal Tax Authority. A form should be filled and submitted by email. A form should be filled out and emailed. When filling out the form for a Refund Entitlement Certificate, the following information should be available.
The application should be supported by documents such as the Trade License of Expo 2020 and Scan of passport and Emirates ID of Section Commissioner-General of the Official Participant.
When to apply for a VAT refund for Expo 2020?
Official Participants registered for VAT in UAE and have TRN can claim their refund on their regular VAT return by filing the VAT Return Form 201.
Non-registrants may apply as follows:
Timelines Processing Period for the issue of Certificate of Refund Entitlement.
The authority will process the application in 20 business days, and if the application is approved, a certificate will be issued and emailed to the applicant.
Crevaty will assist you with the VAT refund for Expo 2020. In case you are looking for any VAT services in Dubai, Crevaty Tax consultancy can help you. Apart from helping you with VAT registration, we also offer a variety of services such as accounting & bookkeeping, VAT & Tax advisory, back office services, payroll processing, auditing & control, document management and more. To know more about our services contact us – we would be glad to assist.
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