The UAE’s Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has unveiled its new smart application, ‘Maskan’, as part of its ongoing efforts to implement digital transformation and enhance tax services in line with government priorities.
The app is designed for UAE citizens to recover the Value Added Tax (VAT) incurred on during the construction of their new homes through a completely paperless, digital process.
In a statement, the FTA highlighted that the introduction of ‘Maskan’ is part of a series of initiatives aimed at developing faster, more efficient digital services, reducing paper usage, and minimising the documentation required for service execution. The platform ensures performance efficiency and speed, offering straightforward procedures for UAE citizens to reclaim VAT on new home construction.
“The launch of the ‘Maskan’ digital platform forms part of our efforts to implement the wise leadership’s vision to establish a modern housing system that ensures UAE citizens’ happiness and provides them with stability and a high quality of life,” said Khalid Ali Al Bustani, Director General of the FTA.
“The platform offers transparent and streamlined procedures to expedite the process for refunding taxes that Emirati citizens incurred on the construction of their new homes.”
The app’s rollout includes two phases: the first phase, already active, allows citizens to create files and submit refund requests digitally. The second phase, launching before the end of July 2024, will enable users to upload tax invoices via a barcode scan, replacing conventional paper invoices.
