Abu dhabi: The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) announced that the number of approved applications submitted by Emirati citizens to recover the Value Added Tax (VAT) paid on the construction of their newly built homes exceeded 7,200 applications during the past year, with a total value of AED646 million.
According to Emirates News Agency, Khalid Ali Al Bustani, Director-General of the FTA, emphasized the Authority's commitment to enhancing Emirati family-related services, particularly the Tax Refund for UAE Nationals Building New Residences service. He noted the Authority's ongoing efforts to develop this service through innovative and user-friendly digital systems, aligning with the UAE's vision to promote social stability and support the country's development goals, especially regarding family housing stability.
Al Bustani highlighted that the increasing number of UAE Nationals benefiting from the tax refund reflects a greater awareness of tax benefits and the success of the FTA's enhancement initiatives. These initiatives aim to simplify and expedite refund procedures for eligible UAE Nationals, contributing to a modern housing ecosystem and ensuring high standards of quality of life and wellbeing.
He further explained that several development operations were carried out in 2025 to facilitate the refund process for citizens. Improvements included reducing the number of fields required for bank account details and personal data in the Maskan application and implementing electronic integration with municipalities to streamline application submissions. These efforts are part of the FTA's strategy to support the Zero Government Bureaucracy programme by simplifying government procedures and eliminating unnecessary processes.
Al Bustani reaffirmed the FTA's dedication to providing transparent standards and mechanisms to facilitate VAT refunds for home construction. The Authority continues to conduct awareness campaigns and offer remote video consultations to assist citizens in completing their applications efficiently, ensuring they can engage directly with specialized FTA employees for support and guidance.