GCC VAT: Initial steps towards implementation

International Tax Review is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 1-2 Paris Garden, London, SE1 8ND

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2026

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

Cookies Settings

GCC VAT: Initial steps towards implementation

December 15 2016
gcc

The introduction of VAT in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states marks the start of some of the most far-reaching changes in the region since the 1960s. Therefore, this change should not be taken lightly by any business operating in the region. Justin Whitehouse, Middle East indirect tax leader, and Tuulia Nurmi, manager of indirect tax at Deloitte Middle East, discusses how companies can successfully prepare for the tax.

Unlock this content.

The content you are trying to view is exclusive to our subscribers.

To unlock this content:

Request Access or Login

Topics

News Feature Indirect Tax Compliance Management ITR Magazine December 2016 / January 2017 Kuwait Qatar Oman United Arab Emirates Bahrain Saudi Arabia Middle East
more across site & shared bottom lb ros

More from across our site

Direct Tax
Fair Tax Mark
Exclusive: Weak pCbCR filings persist as Fair Tax Foundation analysis hits 650
Spanish-headquartered multinationals lead on reporting quality, while US and Swiss groups lag in the Fair Tax Foundation’s expanded analysis
Tom Baker, October 21 2026
Podcasts
danny werfel podcast article image
Podcast: Danny Werfel on AI risk, IRS leadership, and global tax cooperation
Former IRS commissioner Danny Werfel joins ITR for a must-listen conversation spanning his time leading the agency, his AI risk framework, and the future of the OECD
Tom Baker, October 21 2026
Direct Tax
Oslo, Norway - 24 September 2022: PricewaterhouseCoopers or PWC
Pillar two spurs growth again as PwC’s tax revenues improve
Tax and legal services was PwC’s fastest-growing business line last year, helping to put the firm back on a par with its big four rivals
Sam Sholli, October 20 2026
Direct Tax
zain satardien brevo.jpg
Beyond the headlines: New Middle East tax boutique puts AI at heart of its model
Ex-EY and Hourani & Partners leader Zain Satardien is using flexible staffing and AI-enabled systems to test a leaner model for specialist legal and tax advice
Tom Baker, October 19 2026
Direct Tax
kpmg.jpg
A taxing week: KPMG’s updated action plan is encouraging despite elephant in the room
The big four firm is rightfully prioritising transparency and accountability as it seeks to rebuild from its scandal, but a glaring structural issue remains
Sam Sholli, October 16 2026
Direct Tax
Grant Thornton.jpg
Grant Thornton UK compounds EY exits with tax hires
A recent hiring flurry has taken the firm’s number of partner appointments this year to 121 and put it on track to hit 160 partner target early
Sam Sholli, October 16 2026
Direct Tax
EY
Exclusive: EY absorbs Arnstein Legal to launch new Venezuelan legal practice
The move brings specialist tax and litigation capability to EY as it seeks to close the gap on Baker McKenzie and Venezuela’s leading local firms
Tom Baker, October 15 2026
Direct Tax
iba panel 2026.jpeg
Opinion: Law firms can’t crack AI alone
The industry’s response to AI requires an unfamiliar ingredient as firms battle to shape their futures
Ed Conlon, October 14 2026
Direct Tax
suleman ali and brad ashton
WTS UK capitalises again on EY exodus with director hire
The ambitious big four challenger firm has also appointed ex-RSM partner Brad Ashton to build out its customs and global trade practice
Sam Sholli, October 13 2026
Direct Tax
Deloitte.jfif
Deloitte Cyprus embroiled in Roman Abramovich tax evasion allegations
The big four firm allegedly reviewed backdated documents and signed off on accounts that removed hundreds of millions of dollars of Abramovich’s assets
Sam Sholli, October 12 2026
Gift this article