Financial Governance and Compliance Perspective:  VAT Implementation in the UAE

Authors

  • Saad Abdulla Saleh Al Hammadi Dubai Land Department, UAE. Author
  • Naemah Abdulla Khalifa AL Ali Finance Resources Manager, UAE Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56830/IJAMS01202503

Keywords:

VAT implementation, Financial Governance, Compliance Challenges, UAE SMEs, Economic Sustainability, Fund Management

Abstract

This study discusses the Nigerian experience in the adoption of Value-added tax (VAT) especially as it relates to implementing rules for financial governance and compliance in the UAE. This assesses VAT as an avenue to introduce revenue sources in an economy, which has hitherto do not recognize taxes, and its effect on SMEs. This study analyses VAT structures, regulations, and compliance issues as well as funds management, based on a UAE SME survey using a quantitative analysis approach. The following are findings: Understanding of VAT and effective training, technological advancement, and functional financial management are positively related. Several factors are underscored as factors hindering compliance; these are for instance restrictions in the availability of resources, and the intricate nature of laws. Institutional approaches including a higher technological system, legal requirements for conformity training, and policy changes are used to increase VAT implementation and good governance. The study further alerts policymakers and other stakeholders on the role of VAT for economic sustainability and provides practical recommendations for stakeholders such as the Ministry of Finance, policymakers, businesses, and industry associations. Some of the research opportunities for future studies are as follows: Sector wise compliance issues, new technologies, and long-term outcomes of VAT governance.

References

Abdellatif, M., & Tran-Nam, B. (2023). Assessing value added tax compliance burden in Gulf

Cooperation Council countries. eJTR, 21, 301. Retrieved

from:https://www.unsw.edu.au/content/dam/pdfs/unsw-adobe-websites/businessschool/faculty/research/ejournal-of-tax-research/2023-V21-N2-Assessing-value-added-

tax-compliance.pdf.

Abdulraqeeb, R. M., & Sidek, S. (2022). Governance Framework to Optimize Value Added Tax

Compliance among SMES in Dubai. Mathematical Statistician and Engineering Applications,

71(3), 387-400. Retrieved from:

https://philstat.org/index.php/MSEA/article/download/174/122.

Adami, P., Rodrigues, P. B., Woods, P. J., Becerik-Gerber, B., Soibelman, L., Copur-Gencturk, Y., et al. (2021). Effectiveness of VR-based training on improving construction workers’ knowledge, skills, and safety behavior in robotic teleoperation. Advanced Engineering Informatics, 50, 101431. ScienceDirect. Retrieved from DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aei.2021.101431

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S147403462100183X.

Adelekan, O. A., Adisa, O., Ilugbusi, B. S., Obi, O. C., Awonuga, K. F., Asuzu, O. F., et al. (2024).

EVOLVING TAX COMPLIANCE IN THE DIGITAL ERA: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF AI-DRIVEN MODELS BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY IN U.S. TAX

ADMINISTRATION. Computer Science & IT Research Journal, 5(2), 311–335. Retrieved

from https://www.fepbl.com/index.php/csitrj/article/view/759 .

Ainsworth, R. T., Alwohaibi, M., & Cheetham, M. (2020). UK & KSA VATs: A Cutting-Edge Proposal–Mini-Blockchain and VATCoin. Available at SSRN 3574381, Retrieved from: DOI: https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3574381

https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/Delivery.cfm?abstractid=3574381.

Al Mazroui, T. S., Al Alawi, M. M., Thottoli, M. M., Al Hoqani, D. S., & Al Shukaili, N. T. (2022). The need for harmonizing value added tax legislation in Gulf Cooperation Council: harmonizing value added tax legislation. Constitutionale, 3(1), 59-76. Retrieved from: DOI: https://doi.org/10.25041/constitutionale.v3i1.2570

https://jurnal.fh.unila.ac.id/index.php/constitutionale/article/download/2570/1853.

AlGhunaimi, H., Al-Shibil, R. A., Al-Hakmani, N. S., Alhamoodah, H. M., & Al-Hakmani, M. J. (2024). Assessing the Financial Effects of Value-Added Tax (VAT) on University

Students' Purchasing Behavior in Oman. Retrieved from,

https://philarchive.org/archive/ALGATF.

Al-Hamadi, A. M. (2020). Research Project. Retrieved from:

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ahmed-Alhamadi-

2/publication/343817878_The_impacts_of_the_introduction_of_Value-

Added_Tax_in_the_UAE/links/5f4212dea6fdcccc43ee4dd0/The-impacts-of-the-introduction-ofValue-Added-Tax-in-the-UAE.pdf.

Al-Hiyari, A., Kolsi, M. C., & Mas’ ud, A. (2024). Antecedents and consequences of automated VAT solution adoption in Gulf cooperation countries: the case of the United Arab Emirates. Journal of Financial Reporting and Accounting, Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ahmad-Al- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JFRA-10-2023-0617

Hiyari/publication/383092984_Antecedents_and_consequences_of_automated_VAT_sol ution_adoption_in_Gulf_cooperation_countries_the_case_of_the_United_Arab_Emirates /links/66bc54e62361f42f23d20a6a/An.

Alhumoudi, H., & Johri, A. (2024). Examining the Customers’ Perception Toward the

Implementation of Value-added Tax in Saudi Arabia: A Financial, Economic, and Social Perspectives in Sustainable Economic Development. SAGE Open, 14(4), 21582440241290342.

Al-Otaibi, M., Nor, N. M., & Yusri, Y. (2024). Evaluating the Influence of Value-Added Tax Policy Changes on the Liquidity and Performance of Banking Sector Stocks. An Event Study Analysis. DOI: https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202405.0071.v1

Alsalloum, S. A., & Grijalba, M. A. (2021). Assessing the revenue performance of the UAE vat

system. In EBOR CONFERENCE, pp. 54-65.

Alsharari, N. M., Almasarwah, A., & Al-Omush, A. (2023). Value-added tax in the GCC

countries: evidence from UAE. International Journal of Electronic Banking, 4(1), 28-44.

Bansal, A., & Alfardan, A. A. (2020). Role of value added tax in the economic development of

Kingdom of Bahrain. Journal of Critical Reviews, 7(3), 17-24.

BARI, E., KHAN, T. I., & ULLAH, M. S. (2022). THE VALUE-ADDED TAX (VAT)

IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM. Joint Agency Research Report, 19 (1), 1-38.

Erick, S. B., Mdoe, C. N., & Mfinanga, F. A. (2024). Effects of Value Added Tax (VAT)

Knowledge on SMEs Performance and Factors Affecting SMEs Performance in Morogoro Tanzania. Science Mundi, 4(2), 21–2821–28. DOI: https://doi.org/10.51867/scimundi.4.2.3

Ezenagu, A. (2021). Boom or bust, extractives are no longer saviours: the need for robust tax regimes in Gulf countries. The Extractive Industries and Society, 8(2), 100848. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exis.2020.11.014

Fakhari, N. Y. M.; Din, B. H.; Omar, R. (2023). MEDIATING ROLE OF MANAGERIAL PERFORMANCE BETWEEN ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES, ORGANIZATIONAL

STRUCTURE, ENFORCEMENT, AND VAT COLLECTION PERFORMANCE. Russian

Law Journal, 11(1S), 39-48.

Fakhari, N. Y., Din, B. H., & Omar, R. (2022). Staff Competence, Support Services, and VAT Collection Performance: Does Managerial Performance Mediate the Relationship? South Asian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 3(5), 85-102. DOI: https://doi.org/10.48165/sajssh.2022.3507

Fulk, G. (2023). Descriptive Statistics. An Important First Step, Journals.lww.com. https://journals.lww.com/jnpt/fulltext/2023/04000/descriptive_statistics.

Gopakumar, A. A., Kaur, A., Ramiah, V., & Reddy, K. (2022). The sectoral effects of value-added tax: evidence from UAE stock markets. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 15(10), 429. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm15100429

Haleem, A., Javaid, M., Singh, R. P., Rab, S., & Suman, R. (2021). Hyperautomation for the enhancement of automation in industries. Sensors International, 2(1), 100124. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sintl.2021.100124

Sciencedirect.

Hull, H. R., & Scalia, R. (2021). UAE International Tax. IBFD. Retrieved from: DOI: https://doi.org/10.59403/3byxz92

https://www.ibfd.org/sites/default/files/2021-

11/20_007_%20UAE_International_Tax_final_web_0.pdf.

Hussain, A., Elkelish, W. W., & Al Mahameed, M. (2023). Customs Duty Evasion: Consequences and Suggestions: The GCC Countries Perspective. Global Trade and Customs Journal, 18(11/12). DOI: https://doi.org/10.54648/GTCJ2023057

Hussain, A.; Satardien, Z.; Elkelish, W. W. (2022). The Rapid Changing Tax Environment in the United Arab Emirates: The Position of Customs in This Evolution. Global Trade and DOI: https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4183471

Customs Journal, 17(11/12).

Kaabi, A. (2023). Investigating the tax challenges of introducing VAT in Saudi Arabia: the case of social media influencers and word-of-mouth e-Marketing. (Doctoral dissertation, University of Limerick).

Khalil, M. K., Ajzoon, T. K., & Naidu, V. R. (2023). Value Added Tax (VAT) Technology

Compliance Efficiency Oman. Journal of Student Research,

https://www.jsr.org/index.php/path/article/download/2256/1368.

Khan, M. A. (2024). EMPIRICALLY INVESTIGATING OF VALUED ADDED TAX (VAT) AND ITS IMPACT ON ECONOMIC AND SOCIETAL WELL-BEINGS (PRE-AND POST COVID19): A STUDY BASED ON KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA. Academy of

Accounting and Financial Studies Journal, 28(2).

Noble, S., Scheinost, D., & Constable, R. T. (2021). A guide to the measurement and

interpretation of fMRI test-retest reliability. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, 40, 27–

32. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cobeha.2020.12.012. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cobeha.2020.12.012

Ojo, A. O., & Shittu, S. A. (2023). Value Added Tax compliance, and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): Analysis of influential factors in Nigeria. Cogent Business & DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2023.2228553

Management, 10(2), 2228553.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/23311975.2023.22.

Pellegrino, A., & Stasi, A. (2024). Critical Factors in Adopting Blockchain Technology in ValueAdded Tax Systems. Journal of Sustainability Research, 6(2). Retrieved from: https://wap.hapres.com/htmls/JSR_1594_Detail.html. DOI: https://doi.org/10.20900/jsr20240023

Shakkour, A., Almohtaseb, A., Matahen, R., & Sahkkour, N. (2021). Factors influencing the value added tax compliance in small and medium enterprises in Jordan. Management DOI: https://doi.org/10.5267/j.msl.2020.11.007

Science Letters, 11(4), 1317-1330.

Shukeri, S. N., & Alfordy, F. D. (2021). Valued Added Tax (VAT) Impact on Economic and Societal Well-Beings (Pre-and Post COVID19): A Perception Study From Saudi Arabia. International Journal of Financial Research, 12(1), 92-100. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5430/ijfr.v12n1p92

Sidek, S., & Abdulraqeeb, R. M. (2022). The moderating effects of government supports towards

VAT compliance among SMES in UAE: A Conceptual Framework. Mathematical

Statistician and Engineering Applications, 71(3), 84-102.

Thottoli, M. M. (2022). A study on listed companies' compliance with value-added tax: the evolving role of compliance officer in Oman. Public Administration and Policy, 25(1), 89- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/PAP-02-2021-0017

98.

Tiep, N. C., Wang, M., Mohsin, M., Kamran, H. W., & Yazdi, F. A. (2021). An assessment of power sector reforms and utility performance to strengthen consumer self-confidence DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eap.2021.01.005

towards private investment. Economic Analysis and Policy, 69, 676–689.

Uaelegislation. (2017). Federal Decree-Law No. (8) of 2017 on Value-Added Tax (VAT), Retrieved

from: https://uaelegislation.gov.ae/en/legislations/1227/download.

Downloads

Published

2026-03-03