Federal Tax Authority Reaffirms: ‘Refunding Tax for Eligible Applicants a Direct Transaction Between Registrants and the FTA’

The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) reaffirmed that refunding taxes for legally eligible applicants is a direct transaction between the registered business and the FTA, and does not call for any intermediaries.

The process is completed via advanced electronic systems, available on the FTA’s official website, which boasts impressive security features for financial transactions. It is done through official channels using the International Bank Account Number (IBAN), and via systems under the authority of – and electronically linked to – the UAE Central Bank.

In a press statement issued today, the Authority noted that all of these official systems involve dealing directly with the FTA using Tax Registration Numbers (TRNs). They stand out for their accuracy, confidentiality, and data security, in addition to being inaccessible via email or any other medium that may be prone to piracy and hacking.

The Authority issued the above statement in response to reports that certain bank customers received emails from unidentified sources impersonating banks and financial institutions, and asking recipients to provide personal data, including names, credit card numbers, and PIN codes, claiming that providing the information will allow them to recover Value Added Tax.

The FTA reiterated its warning to all registered businesses, calling on them to remain vigilant and maintain the confidentiality of their personal data. The Authority reaffirmed that all transactions – registration, submitting Tax Returns, refunding tax for eligible candidates, etc. – can be completed with a few simple steps via the e-Services portal, available 24/7 on the FTA website: www.tax.gov.ae, which was designed in accordance with international best practices to make it easier for Taxable Persons to meet their obligations.