UAE Adds VAT Exemption For Crypto in Rule Amendment

The UAE’s Federal Tax Authority (FTA) published amendments to the country’s VAT rules a few days ago. Transfers and conversions of digital assets, including crypto, are now exempt from VAT. According to PwC, another service that received VAT exemption is investment fund management.

The business consultancy service provider noted that the general amendments to the rule will become effective on November 15, 2024. Meanwhile, the VAT exemption for converting and transferring ownership of virtual assets has already been treated as effective on 1 January 2018.

Fund Managers And Virtual Asset Businesses Analyze VAT Exemption 

The UAE defines virtual assets as “representations of value that can be digitally traded or converted and can be used for investment purposes.” 

This definition does not consider fiat currencies or financial securities. Fund managers overseeing investments may have to determine whether their services fall under the VAT exemption.

PwC urges businesses with virtual assets to analyze the exemption on their retrospective VAT position. The Turkish government took a similar step by postponing tax plans on profits from stocks and crypto.

Input Tax Recovery in the UAE

The auditing firm also advised virtual asset firms to pay special attention to their input tax recovery. Finanshels, a UAE-based bookkeeping and tax company, provided more context for this input tax recovery. According to Finanshels, input VAT recovery allows registered businesses in the UAE to claim back the VAT they have already paid on eligible business purchases. 

PwC hinted at a possible voluntary disclosure from virtual asset companies to aid in correcting historical returns.

UAE Boosts its Crypto Industry With New Regulations 

Regarding crypto, the UAE has intentionally provided a conducive atmosphere for the industry to thrive.  Regulators in the region recently streamlined and updated their rules on virtual assets. At the beginning of September, two agencies in the region decided to supervise Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) mutually 

The alliance involved Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) and the Securities And Commodities Authority (SCA), UAE’s federal financial agency. This means that VASPs with operations in Dubai can acquire a license from VARA and can also serve the wider UAE by being registered by default with the SCA. 

This move may attract more crypto businesses into the region.