Oman to establish 5% Value Added Tax in 6 months duration amid Covid19

Oman’s ruler has issued a decree to start levying a 5% value-added tax in six months’ time, state-run Oman TV said on Monday, as the Gulf oil producer seeks to boost revenues battered by low oil prices and the coronavirus pandemic.

The tax will be on most goods and services, though with some exceptions, according to a video presentation shown on Oman TV.”

The implementation of the #ValueAddedTax came to ensure the sultanate’s financial sustainability, enhance its competitivenes , and reaffirm its commitment to international and regional agreements and improve the business environment,” the government said on twitter.

All six Gulf Arab states agreed to introduce 5% VAT in 2018 after a slump in oil prices hit their revenues. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have already introduced the tax, with Riyadh tripling it this year.
Oman — whose financial position is among the weakest in the region — and also Kuwait and Qatar have not yet introduced the tax.”

The introduction of VAT is another important and positive sign to the market that Oman is looking to progress with a much needed fiscal reform programme after announcing spending cuts this year,” said Monica Malik, chief economist at Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank.

VAT will start in April next year, the Omani government said. Exemptions will include basic food commodities, healthcare, education, financial services, home rentals and the supply of crude oil, petroleum products and natural gas.

The VAT announcement comes ahead of an expected issuance of international bonds, Oman’s first this year.