GCC Indirect Tax Weekly Digest

Qatar developments

 Temporary customs duty exemptions announced

As also referenced in Deloitte’s Tax Atlas COVID-19 Tax & Fiscal Measures Microsite, the State of Qatar has announced the exemption of 905 items from customs duties for a period of six months, starting from March 23.

The products exempted are mainly food and medical items which includes meat, fish, dairy produce, edible vegetables, cereals, sugar and sugar confectionary, cocoa and cocoa preparations, soap, disinfectant, surgeons masks and face masks, medical gloves, medical sterilizers amongst other items. 

The complete list of items is published on the website of the Qatar Customs Authority, available here.
 

Deloitte COVID-19 tax and fiscal measures resources 

In the weeks ahead, the GCC Indirect Tax Weekly Digest will provide you with the latest relevant updates, policy changes, and insight into action businesses can take from an indirect tax perspective to mitigate specific issues arising from the current economic environment. In addition, we will provide you with insight into industry-specific issues and recommended actions you may wish to consider.

The worldwide social and economic lockdown resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has caused businesses around the world to face unprecedented challenges.

These challenges include uncertainty about financial sustainability and potential tax and fiscal policy changes due to the pandemic.

Deloitte is committed to continuing to deliver client service of the highest quality while embracing this new environment.

Governments are responding quickly to the effects of the pandemic by announcing tax and other financial reliefs to support businesses and individuals. To help keep you informed and navigate these new global tax developments, we are offering the resources below:

• Deloitte Tax Atlas COVID-19 Tax & Fiscal Measures Microsite
  Access a high-level summary of tax and fiscal COVID-19 measures that have been announced by governments. The page shows reliefs and deferrals for direct, indirect and other taxes along with changes in tax administration practice designed to ease compliance for tax payers. You can view by country and tax type in the interactive map and create country comparisons. To request access, please complete the short online access request form found here. 
  
  
• COVID-19 Signal Topic Alerts
  Stay up-to-date with the latest government tax and fiscal responses to COVID-19. Deloitte has collaborated with Signal AI to develop a tax-intelligent news platform that produces daily alerts on COVID-19 initiatives. To complement the information provided daily, Deloitte created a Weekly Topic Alert Digest sent each Monday that consolidates the daily Topic Alerts from the prior week into a single reference document. To sign up to receive Signal Topic Alerts, please send your name, organization, and email address to: signal@deloitte.com.
  
  
• Deloitte tax@hand
  Get timely COVID-19 global and regional tax news, information, and resources as developed by Deloitte firms around the world. Subscribe here.
  
  
• Deloitte COVID-19 hub
  Visit www.deloitte.com/COVID for all the latest Deloitte content in relation to COVID-19.

This digest is for information purposes only and should not be construed as advice. It does not necessarily cover every aspect of the topics with which it deals. You should not act upon the contents of this alert without receiving formal advice on your particular circumstances.