The Bahraini National Bureau for Revenue released updated guidance on VAT treatment of real‑estate lease incentives on 29 January 2026. The guide clarifies that rent reductions and rent‑free periods are exempt, while reimbursements for fit‑out contributions are taxable. It also provides examples of common lease incentives used by landlords.
They are treated as exempt from VAT, following the same treatment as the principal supply.
Such reimbursements are subject to VAT, unlike rent reductions or rent‑free periods.
The guide was posted on 29 January 2026.
Get VAT and indirect tax news delivered to your inbox twice a week.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Docnova · about 4 hours ago
Bahrain’s National Bureau for Revenue released guidance version 1.5 on March 11 2026 clarifying that VAT paid as deposits during import is not immediately recoverable. Registered persons must obtain a customs declaration receipt confirming a ‘VAT confiscation’ status before they can reclaim the VAT, and the recovery must occur within five years from the end of the calendar year in which the deposit becomes recoverable.
Bloomberg Tax · about 2 months ago
The Bahrain Tax Agency released an updated VAT general guide in English on Jan. 28, 2026. The guide clarifies that outsourced services are taxable, VAT is due on full consideration when third‑party providers assign roles under direct supervision, and employee salaries remain outside VAT. These updates aim to provide clearer guidance for businesses operating in Bahrain.
LinkedIn Article by Prakriti Dangi · 4 days ago
The UAE Ministry of Finance released e‑invoicing guidelines in February 2026, clarifying that intra‑VAT group transactions fall within the e‑invoicing scope and introducing a 24‑month grace period starting 1 January 2027. The phased rollout begins on 1 January 2027 for Phase 1 and 1 July 2027 for Phase 2, with the grace period calendar‑based, giving Phase 1 entities full relief but only 18 months to Phase 2 entities. Corporate tax groups receive no such relief.
LinkedIn Article by Mustafa Syed · 6 days ago
The article explains how UAE’s new e‑invoicing regime requires more than just XML formatting; it demands accurate interpretation of key data fields. Field 5, an 8‑character binary sequence, flags transaction scenarios such as free‑zone or export, while Field 11, the seller’s electronic address, identifies the network endpoint for responses. Correctly mapping these fields is essential for compliance and accurate VAT processing.
VatCalc · 10 days ago
VatCalc reports that Oman will enforce mandatory B2B and B2G e‑invoicing and e‑reporting via a Peppol 5‑corner model starting 1 Aug 2026. The rollout will be phased, with the first wave in August 2026 for the largest taxpayers, a second wave in February 2027, and a third wave in August 2027. The Oman Tax Authority became the official Peppol Authority in January 2026 and published updated FAQs on 8 Dec 2025.
Middle East Briefing · 17 days ago
The UAE’s 2026 VAT amendments introduce a five‑year limit on recovering excess input VAT, a transitional window until 31 Dec 2026 for older credits, and a phased e‑invoicing rollout starting July 2026. Companies must review historical balances, comply with stricter documentation, and prepare for mandatory electronic invoicing for B2B and B2G transactions.
