UAE Guide: What is VAT on compensation Payments in Dubai and Abu Dhabi?
Compensation Payments are for any loss, breach of contracts, omission etc. This type of expense occurs in the normal course of business only. Recently, FTA in Dubai, UAE has issues a clarification vide no.: VAT P 001, on VAT treatment on
compensation payments.
In order to charge VAT on compensation payments in Dubai, UAE, it has to be satisfied as a supply under the Dubai VAT Law. Hence, VAT should be applied if it is related to supply of any goods or services in the normal course of business. FTA has issued in the clarifications that “in order to determine whether or not a payment is considered a supply, it is necessary to consider the contractual and legal arrangements in full to determine the reason for the payment. Thus, it may be necessary to consider whether the payment is consideration for any previously agreed goods or services; if it is consideration for any newly created supply of goods or services; if the purpose of the payment is to adjust a previously agreed-upon consideration for a supply; if a party is granting a right to another party in return for a payment; if a party is promising not to exercise a right in return for a payment; or if a party is giving something up in return for a payment.”
Compensation payments are considered as outside the scope of VAT and not considered as supplies. However, this does not include any payments which are made towards cessation of rights for supply of services or goods therefore would fall under the scope of Dubai VAT Law. A typical example of this is where a hotel charges cancellation fee.
Payments for compensation against any loss, negligence or other errors shall not be treated as a consideration for a supply and shall be outside the scope of Dubai VAT Law.
Below table explains some types of compensation payments and its taxability.
| S.No. | Type of Compensation Payment | Taxability under Dubai VAT |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Insurance claim on stock loss due to fire | Not Taxable |
| 2 | Payment against damaged goods | Not Taxable |
| 3 | Violation of agreement / breach of terms of a contract | Not Taxable |
| 4 | Liquidated damages | Not Taxable |
| 5 | Compensation for Late Performance(Exception Hotel cancellation fees) | Not Taxable |
| 6 | Payment for granting a right | Taxable |
| 7 | Payment for loss of earnings(Interest Charges) | Taxable |
| 8 | Payment to settle a dispute | Taxable |
| 9 | Payment to enforce a contractual term | Taxable |
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