VAT Press Releases

Riyadh, 26 July 2018: The General Authority for Zakat and Tax (GAZT) announced that issues 643 VAT violations against tourist services agencies, restaurants, cafes and shopping centers in various regions of the Kingdom. The violations were issued during field inspection campaigns conducted by GAZT to ensure business’ compliance to VAT’s implementing regulations.

Riyadh 24 July 2018: The General Authority for Zakat and Tax (GAZT) issued a reminder to all VAT-registered businesses whose annual supply of taxable goods and services equals SAR 40 million or less to file their tax returns for Q2 2018 before the end of July through the GAZT portal (vat.gov.sa).

Riyadh, 22 July 2018:The General Authority for Zakat and Tax (GAZT) announced that it issues around 500 violations related to improper implementation of VAT against several businesses during its week-long inspection campaign of hotels and furnished apartments in various regions of the Kingdom.

Riyadh, 18 July 2018:The General Authority for Zakat and Tax (GAZT) organized a workshop on VAT on Tuesday, July 18, 2018, in cooperation with the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Riyadh. The event, which was attended by more than 100 representatives of SME’s, sought to increase the readiness of businesses with annual revenues between SAR 375,000 and SAR 1 million. Businesses within this category are required to apply VAT on their activities at the beginning of 2019.

Riyadh, July 2, 2018: The General Authority for Zakat and Tax (GAZT) and the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) – represented by the “ESAL” e-platform - signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to encourage companies and government entities to implement e-invoicing through the e-platform, with the aim of enhancing transparency in business invoices as well as reducing tax evasion cases.

Riyadh، 28 June 2018: Eighty-five accountants recently completed training programs for VAT specialist accountants provided by the Saudi Organization for Certified Public Accountants (SOCPA) in partnership with the General Authority for Zakat and Tax (GAZT).

Riyadh، 27 June 2018: The General Authority for Zakat and Income Tax (GAZT) called on all businesses registered in VAT with more than SAR 40 million in annual supplies of taxable goods and services to file their May tax returns before the end of June.

Riyadh - May 30, 2018: The General Authority for Zakat and Tax (GAZT) announced that its field inspection teams recently issued VAT-related violations against foodstuff retail and wholesale shops in Riyadh and Al-Kharj.

Riyadh, May 16, 2018: Ahead of the uptick in shopping activity during the Holy Month of Ramadan, the General Authority for Zakat and Tax (GAZT) urged consumers to use the VAT App when purchasing goods and services in order to verify that the businesses they deal with are fact registered in the VAT and report cases of tax fraud.

Riyadh, 13 May 2018: The General Authority for Zakat and Tax (GAZT) recently stepped up its field inspection efforts which aim to follow up on the implementation of VAT by businesses. The efforts come in anticipation of the increased shopping activity normally witnessed during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

Riyadh, 10 May 2018: The General Authority for Zakat and Tax (GAZT) announced that its field inspection team recently issued violations against several car showrooms in Riyadh for their non-compliance with the VAT implementing regulations.

Riyadh، 29 April 2018: The General Authority for Zakat and Tax (GAZT) reminded companies that the fine for failing to file the tax return on time ranges from a minimum of 5% and a maximum of 25% of the value of the tax amount due on the company, further noting that there will be an additional penalty for delayed payment of the tax amount due equaling 5% of the value of the unpaid tax amount for each month or part thereof.