VAT Refund

Refund means when the input tax is greater than the output tax on a VAT return, the taxpayer can request a VAT refund after filing their VAT return.

When a taxpayer submits a claim for refund, the FTA will process and review the application within 20 business days of submission. The taxpayer will be notified regarding the FTA’s decision to accept or reject the claim. If the process exceeds the timeline of 20 days, the FTA will notify the taxpayer regarding the extension of the deadline

To submit a refund claim:

Log in to the FTA’s e-Services portal.

Go to the VAT tab, then the VAT Refunds tab, and access the form by clicking VAT refund request.

Complete the form. Some of the fields are pre-populated using the details from your account. Make sure that the details you’ve entered are correct, then submit the form by clicking ’Submit’.

After you submit the form, you will receive an email from the FTA to notify you of the result of your refund application. Once the claim is approved, the refund will be processed within 5 business days.

You can verify the refund amount by checking your balance from the My Payment tab under the Transaction History section in the e-Services portal.

VAT Refund for Tourists

Tourists and visitors can claim refund on VAT paid on purchases they made during their stay in the UAE. Recovery of payment will be done through a fully integrated electronic system which connects retailers registered in the ‘Tax Refund for Tourists Scheme’ with all ports of entry and exit from the UAE.

Planet is the exclusive operator of the tax refund system for tourists which Federal Tax Authority executes in the UAE

How to shop Tax Free in the UAE

1. Request a VAT refund claim and present the travel document used to enter the UAE
2. The retailer will enter your information into our digital Tax Free system to issue a VAT refund claim
3. The retailer will place a Tax Free tag on the back of the original sales receipt
4. You must validate your claim at the Validation Point when leaving the UAE.

How much will you get back?

You will receive 85% of the total VAT amount paid, minus a fee of 4.80 dirhams per Tax Free tag

A choice of refund methods

Card Refund

1. Go to validation point or self-service kiosk
2. Get validated
3. Get card refunded

Cash Refund

1. Go to validation point
2. Get validated
3. Go to refund point
4. Get cash refund (subject to a maximum of AED 7,000 per tourist in 24 hours). Any additional value over this amount must be paid to a credit/debit card