The UAE Federal Tax Authority has launched a fully digital, paperless VAT refund system for tourists at several airports across the country, offering what it says is the world’s fastest tax refund experience.
⠀
Powered by artificial intelligence, the new system reduces passenger waiting times at airports and accelerates the refund process. According to the authority, tourists can complete the entire VAT refund application within minutes before leaving the UAE.
⠀
The system was launched on Tuesday, October 20, in partnership with Planet Tax Free and is now operational at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi, Dubai International Airport and Sharjah International Airport.
⠀
Planet Tax Free is the exclusive operator of the UAE’s tourist tax refund scheme. The programme allows eligible tourists to reclaim the 5 per cent VAT paid on qualifying purchases before leaving the country.
⠀
The Planet app is designed to reduce administrative procedures, minimise the need for human intervention, integrate processes and simplify identity verification and application approval.
⠀
How can tourists use the tax refund app?
⠀
Step one: Install the app and verify your identity
⠀
Tourists must first download and install the Planet app, which has been specifically designed for tourist tax refunds in the UAE.
⠀
They must then register by completing the identity verification process, including a facial scan and uploading images of their passport and bank card. Once these steps are completed, they can access the digital tax refund services.
⠀
Step two: Scan the QR code at the airport
⠀
After arriving at the airport, tourists must use the app to scan the QR code displayed on screens at tax refund service points.
⠀
The tax refund process will then begin immediately through the app.
⠀
Step three: Have purchases inspected if required
⠀
If the registered transactions require an in-person inspection, tourists will be notified through the app and automatically directed to Planet’s smart gates.
⠀
As passengers pass through the gates, their faces will be scanned and their identity and transaction details automatically identified and verified. This eliminates the need to repeat standard identity verification procedures.
⠀
How AI accelerates tax refunds
⠀
Using artificial intelligence, the new app identifies transactions that qualify for automatic tax refunds under the relevant regulations and do not require purchases to be inspected.
⠀
The system also directs each tourist to the appropriate steps based on the type of transaction.
⠀
If a tourist’s purchases do not require inspection, completing the first two steps will be sufficient, with no need to visit the smart gates or undergo in-person verification.
⠀
In such cases, tourists can finalise their tax refund applications directly through the app, with the refund also processed through the same system.
⠀
A new step in the digitalisation of UAE tax services
⠀
The system’s launch forms part of the UAE Federal Tax Authority’s broader strategy to expand the use of artificial intelligence and continuously improve the efficiency of its operational systems.
⠀
The initiative also supports the Digital Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme, which aims to simplify administrative processes, reduce red tape and expand smart government services across the UAE.