Federal Tax Authority Introduces 100 New Digital Measures For Zero Bureaucracy In Taxation

The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has introduced 100 new digital measures to enhance the "EmaraTax" platform, aiming for zero bureaucracy. These improvements stem from taxpayer and stakeholder feedback gathered through 24 interactive meetings involving around 560 participants. The initiative was unveiled at the "Zero Bureaucracy in Taxation" retreat in Dubai, led by Khalid Ali Al Bustani, Director-General of FTA.

During the event, Khalid Al Bustani highlighted the importance of taxpayer input in developing FTA services. He stated, "We are keen to maintain constant communication with taxpayers and business sectors to understand their views and contributions, ensuring the continuous enhancement of FTA’s services and procedures." This approach aligns with the UAE's goal to simplify government processes and foster business growth.

Abdulla Al Bastaki, CEO of the Information Technology Sector at FTA, recognised taxpayers and employees who contributed ideas for service improvement. The retreat featured brainstorming sessions on how the "Digital Zero Bureaucracy" programme affects taxpayer satisfaction. Participants discussed proposals for further enhancements and shared feedback on recent changes.

FTA has already implemented 64 out of over 100 planned enhancements to its services based on stakeholder suggestions. These changes include a significant reduction in required documents by 53 percent, data fields by 55 percent, and service completion time by 77 percent. Such improvements aim to streamline processes and reduce costs for taxpayers.

The UAE's efforts have bolstered its global standing in taxation, achieving top rankings in both the Taxation and Low Bureaucracy Index and the Ease of Paying Taxes Index. The reduction in paper usage and document requirements has further enhanced service facilitation measures, delivering noticeable results swiftly.

Khalid Al Bustani emphasised that ongoing collaboration with stakeholders is crucial for achieving optimal outcomes. He noted that FTA regularly conducts consultative meetings to gather feedback on service development plans across all operational areas. This collaborative approach is essential for sustaining progress within the tax sector.

Future Developments

The retreat also showcased new initiatives under the second phase of the "Digital Zero Bureaucracy" programme. These initiatives focus on accelerating tax procedures as part of strengthening partnerships with the private sector. FTA aims to continue eliminating procedural steps and reducing service times in line with this ambitious programme.

Through these efforts, FTA seeks to create an environment conducive to business growth while attracting talent and expertise. By maintaining open communication channels with taxpayers and stakeholders, FTA ensures that its services remain relevant and effective in meeting evolving needs.

The adoption of innovative technologies plays a key role in these advancements. By minimising input fields and lowering costs for taxpayers, FTA enhances service delivery efficiency. These measures contribute significantly to achieving a qualitative leap in government processes as envisioned by UAE leadership.

With inputs from WAM