UAE Launches ‘Maskan’ App to Help Citizens Get VAT Refunds on New Homes
The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) in Abu Dhabi has introduced a new smart application called ‘Maskan’. This app is part of the UAE’s efforts to go digital and provide excellent tax services. It helps UAE citizens get back the value-added tax (VAT) they paid while building their new homes, all through a paperless, digital process.
Why ‘Maskan’ Was Created
The FTA launched ‘Maskan’ to support the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai. The goal is to make government services the best in the world by eliminating unnecessary paperwork and providing fast, efficient services.
How ‘Maskan’ Works
The ‘Maskan’ app is being rolled out in two stages. The first stage allows citizens to create their own files and upload tax invoices for home construction supplies. The second stage, coming by July 2024, will let users scan barcodes to upload invoices directly from registered outlets.
Benefits of ‘Maskan’
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, Director General of the FTA, said the app aims to make the VAT refund process transparent and quick, ensuring citizens’ happiness and high quality of life. Abdullah Al Bastaki, Executive Director of the Information Technology Sector at the FTA, added that ‘Maskan’ aligns with the ‘Zero-Government Bureaucracy’ programme, which aims to cut down on government procedures and service times.
The ‘Maskan’ app is a big step towards making the UAE a global leader in digital government services, helping citizens reclaim VAT easily and efficiently.
Doubts Revealed
UAE -: UAE stands for the United Arab Emirates, a country in the Middle East made up of seven smaller regions called emirates.
Maskan -: ‘Maskan’ is the name of a new app that helps people in the UAE get back some of the money they paid in taxes when they build new homes.
VAT -: VAT stands for Value Added Tax, which is a type of tax people pay when they buy goods and services.
Federal Tax Authority (FTA) -: The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) is a government organization in the UAE that manages and collects taxes.
Abu Dhabi -: Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the UAE and one of its seven emirates.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum -: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is the ruler of Dubai, one of the emirates in the UAE, and the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE.
Zero-Government Bureaucracy -: The ‘Zero-Government Bureaucracy’ programme is an initiative in the UAE to make government services faster and simpler by reducing paperwork and procedures.
