Dubai: H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federal Tax Authority (FTA), chaired a meeting of the Authority’s Board of Directors. During this meeting, Sheikh Maktoum examined the FTA’s current strategies and their use of artificial intelligence technologies to improve operational processes and service quality while assessing their impact on institutional performance.
According to Emirates News Agency, Sheikh Maktoum instructed the FTA to prepare for the UAE Government’s new framework, which aims to transform 50 percent of government sectors and services using Agentic AI within two years. This initiative aligns with the directives set by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, aiming for a transformation in government work efficiency, service quality, and transaction speed.
Sheikh Maktoum also reviewed a report on the latest developments in ongoing projects and the future plans of the FTA. He emphasized that the integration of AI models into government operations is a step towards creating an ecosystem capable of making accurate decisions swiftly across financial management aspects. This transition aims to empower national talent, focusing on strategic planning and innovation, while ensuring the sustainability of the UAE’s financial performance.
The meeting highlighted the FTA’s achievements, particularly in tax refund services for newly constructed citizen housing, which continues to evolve with advanced digital systems. The report indicated that the FTA approved VAT refund applications from UAE nationals, totaling AED128 million during February and March 2026, marking a 24 percent increase compared to the previous year.
Furthermore, the report showcased the number of registrants for various taxes, with Corporate Tax registrants reaching 743,000, and Value Added Tax registrants at 587,000. The meeting also discussed developments in the Top-up Tax project under Pillar Two and steps taken towards the e-invoicing project, aiming to maintain high tax compliance through secure mechanisms.
The achievements of the integrated tax system, including electronic integration between the FTA’s systems and relevant entities, were also highlighted. The report reviewed the performance indicators of EmaraTax and the latest developments in the Digital Tax Stamps system for tobacco and tobacco products, demonstrating the progress made through its implementation phases.