ARTICLE
30 November 2021

What Are The New Key Amendments To The Federal Tax Procedures Law In The UAE?

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Dr. Hassan Elhais

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Dr. Hassan Elhais, a long-standing member of the prestigious Amal Alrashedi Lawyers & Legal Consultants, is a renowned legal consultant in the UAE, specializing in family law, criminal law, civil law, company incorporation, construction law, banking law, inheritance law, and arbitration. Dr. Elhais has gained wide recognition in the country, winning numerous awards and accolades. He was declared the Legal Consultant of the Year in 2026 by Leaders in Law. He was also elected as the co-chair of the ‘Relocation of Children Committee’ of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL), a worldwide association of practicing lawyers, widely regarded as the most experienced and skilled family law specialists in their respective countries. Dr. Hassan Elhais’s continued recognition in the 2025 Chambers and Partners rankings for Family/Matrimonial services to High-Net-Worth individuals in the UAE from 2022-2025.
Federal decree law number 28 of 2021 has been issued amending the provisions of the Federal Decree law no. 7 of 2017.
United Arab Emirates Tax
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Federal decree law number 28 of 2021 has been issued amending the provisions of the Federal Decree law no. 7 of 2017. The new decree brings in changes to the procedures for raising a tax dispute and resolution in the UAE. The new changes have been made effective from 1 November 2021.

The new changes include the following:

Revised timelines:

For reconsideration request

  • The time limit in order for a person to file a reconsideration request before the federal tax authority (FTA) I terms of a decision issued by the FTA has now been increased to forty business days. The previous time limit was that of twenty days.
  • Similarly, the time limit for a reconsideration request to be reviewed by the FTA has also been extended to forty days, as compared to the previous timeline of twenty business days.

For submitting objections before TDRC

  • The time limit in order for a person to file an objection to the FTA's decision before the Tax Disputes and Resolution Committee (TDRC) has now been increased to forty business days. The previous time limit was that of twenty days.

For raising challenge before Courts:

  • The time limit in order to raise an appeal to the decision issued by the TDRC's decision before the competent Court has been now been extended to 40 business days, as compared to the previous timeline of twenty business days.

Inadmissibility Conditions:

The new decree introduces new provisions concerning inadmissibility of appeal in the following instances such as: failure in providing the proof of payment of taxes to the FTA, failure in providing proof of payment of less than 50 % of the admissible penalties by means of cash payment or bank guarantee to the FTA etc.(ref: article 33)

Minimum Fine Payment:

Pursuant to the new decree, a prerequisite for filing an appeal before competent court requires minimum of fifty percent of the penalty requires to be paid up either by cash transfer or by bank guarantee/

Special Committee:

The new decree also establishes a special committee that will be provided additional powers in deciding any request for payment in instalments or waiver or refund request placed before its consideration.

In many ways the new decree law revisions to earlier time limits imposed by the FTA as well has further extensions in the time limit available for the FTA to review an application. The new changes have also introduced the criteria for inadmissibly of certain claims and brings in a more detailed structure in order to claim refunds or instalment options for payments.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

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