Qatar: Introductionof VAT

www.kpmg.com/qa

Effective from January 1, 2018, it is anticipated that Qatar, along with the other member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will introduce a broad Valued Added Tax (VAT) at a rateof between 3-5%.

Who will be affected by the new tax?All businesses in Qatar will be affected since VAT will impact most sales of goods and services within Qatar, where it is anticipated there would be limited exemptions and consumption tax relief. There will be a right for businesses to claim a credit for VAT paid on their expenditures, relating to their business activities.

Sale – materialQR 100 + QR 5 VAT

*The example is calculated at a 5% VAT rate.

Sale – productQR 200 + QR 10 VAT

Sale – productQR 300 + QR 15 VAT

QR 10 remitted(QR 25 VAT – QR 15 credit)

Sale – productQR 500 + QR 25 VAT

QR 5 remitted(QR 15 VAT – QR 10 credit)

QR 5 remitted

QR 5 remitted(QR 10 VAT – QR 5 credit)

Governmentincome QR 25

How does VAT work?

RetailerIndividual

Wholesaler

Factory

Supplier

Top key questions on VAT

Who? • Taxable person refers to person liable for remitting VAT to tax authority• Taxpayer is the person on whom the final tax burden falls (i.e. the final consumer)

What? VAT generally applies to all commercial activities divided in two categories:Supplies of goods:

•EUVATdirectivedefinition(similarinotherjurisdictions)•thetransferoftherighttodisposeoftangiblepropertyasowner• saleoftangibleproperty• occasionaldeemingrules—electricity,certainleases

Supplies of services:• EUVATdirectivedefinition(similarinotherjurisdictions)•anytransactionwhichdoesnotconstituteasupplyofgoods• everythingthatdoesnotqualifyas“goods”• includesalsointangiblesandtransferofrights

Where? Distinction between two principles of sourcing:• origin: where production occurs• destination: where consumption occurs

Goods:• generally taxable where consumption occurs• follows flow of goods• exports are not taxed• imports are taxed

Services:• due to intangible nature, proxies must be used

- e.g., where customer is established, immovable property is located, work is performed

When? Time of supply may vary depending on type of transaction• E.g. importation in principle together with customs

Other elements may influence timing• Payment methods: e.g. prepayment• Timing of invoice

How much? Taxable amount includes everything constituting consideration obtained or to be obtained

• Can be non-monetary consideration• Determination of what is included and not: - taxes - incidental expenses, such transport and insurance costs - price discounts and rebates

For importation of goods, customs value is used as basis, including customs duty

VAT readinessThe GCC countries are expected to sign the GCC Framework Agreements for VAT and Excise Duties in June 2016. The Ministry of Finance in Qatar is likely to announce the VAT legislation, practical guidance and executive regulations regarding the new VAT law during the months that follow. Businesses should thus start preparing for the change despite the lack of specific guidance.

• Taxability of sales• Recoverability of VAT

on purchases

• Registration and invoicing requirements

• Exemption certificates or bonds• Indirect tax processes

and controls • Record-keeping

requirements

• VAT returns• Training of staff • Address issues beyond tax

Beyond taxSuch a fundamental change in the indirect taxation structure of Qatar should be viewed from a holistic point of view, rather than focusing on the direct financial implications. It is will impact businesses in the following areas.

How KPMG can assist?KPMG professionals can assist organizations with preparing for the implementation of VAT in Qatar from a consulting, compliance, and technology standpoint.

• Consulting: our indirect tax professionals based in Qatar, together with our international offices, are able to assist clients with any question relating to the upcoming changes, including, but not limited to, nexus study, taxability review, supply chain analysis, and review of compliance requirements.

• Compliance: our local Compliance Center will be able to assist clients with the preparation and filing of the new VAT returns.

• Technology implementation: our Transactions Tax Systems team can assist clients that are implementing automated solutions to their transaction tax compliance processes.

VAT review process

Business processes

• Order-to-cash, procure-to-pay, and record-to-report processes will be impacted by the reform

• New forms (e.g., invoices) may need to be created for the order-to-cash process and new reports in the record-to-report process may need to be designed to facilitate completion of tax returns

Accounting/IT systems

• IT systems may need to be reconfigured to facilitate compliance with the new regime• Vendor and customer master data may need to be changed, tax condition logic may

need to be updated, and new tax code/GL accounts may need to be created

Supply chain

• The company’s supply chain may not be structured in the most efficient way under the new regime, resulting in a cash cost suffered by the business

• Indirect tax costs may arise from the wrong party acting as the importer of record

Contracts • Contracts may need to be reviewed to help ensure compatibility under the new regime• Key clauses may need to be added or amended (tax, pricing, change in law, etc.)

Product pricing

• Product or service price points may need to be reviewed• If the customer cannot recover any tax charged, consideration may need to be given to

whether the supplier wants to absorb some of the economic cost of the tax

Treasury • Cash flow forecasts may need to be updated• With credits arising under the new regime, company cash flows may change

Impact review Requirements review Implementation

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The information contained herein is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although we endeavor to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act on such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation.

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For more information on Qatar’s introduction of VAT, please contact:Contacts

Craig RichardsonPartner, Tax and Corporate Services T: +974 74471682E: craigr@kpmg.com

Duncan MackayAdvisory Partner, Management ConsultingT: +974 55711785E: mackayd@kpmg.com

Ali AlMahroos Manager, Tax and Corporate Services T: +973 34343440E: aalmahroos@kpmg.com