The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has launched its new smart application, ‘Maskan’, which forms part of its continuous efforts to implement digital transformation plans and provide outstanding tax services in line with government priorities and strategic directions.
The application offers additional features for UAE citizens looking to recover the value-added tax (VAT) they incurred on the construction of their new homes using 100 percent paperless, digital procedures.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, authorities explained the application’s launch forms part of its contribution, with a diverse set of initiatives under the transformational projects’ series, towards developing faster, more efficient digital services, minimising paper usage, and reducing the number of documents required for service execution, among other facilities.
The Federal Tax Authority launched this initiative as part of its strategy to implement the directives of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, to develop government services and adopt highly efficient business models focused on eliminating bureaucracy in procedures and proactively providing state-of-the-art integrated services, making UAE government services the best in the world.
The “Maskan” application is among the transformative projects within the federal government performance agreements for 2023–2024. These quality projects propel the UAE towards the future and enhance its competitiveness by achieving significant impacts across all sectors in a short period.
Benefits for UAE citizens
The new initiative promotes the UAE as a global hub for the new economy and contributes to creating a supportive ecosystem for the UAE to be the most pioneering and advanced nation over the next decade, in line with the objectives of the “We the UAE 2031” vision.
Moreover, the FTA asserted that the ‘Maskan’ digital platform was designed by the latest standards to ensure performance efficiency and speed and offer simple and clear procedures.
This offers UAE citizens a digitalised, faster, and more seamless procedure to recover the VAT they incurred on the construction of their new homes.
Key features of the Maskan application
The Authority held a series of brainstorming sessions and consultative meetings during the platform’s preparation stage, bringing together citizens and suppliers, where the FTA team noted attendees’ opinions on the development process based on their experience with the previous refund mechanism.
The feedback was then taken into account in designing the ‘Maskan’ application.
The Authority indicated that the full launch of the ‘Maskan’ application’s smart features will be rolled out over two stages: The first has already been activated, allowing UAE citizens (applicants) to create their files and enter tax invoices related to the purchase of supplies for the construction of their home by simply uploading the files or attaching photos and submitting the refund request.
Future prospects
The FTA added that the second phase will be initiated before the end of July 2024, introducing all of the application’s characteristics and features and allowing citizens to scan a barcode from the ‘Maskan’ app.
The second phase will allow the upload of tax invoices from outlets registered with the Authority to each applicant’s account instead of submitting conventional paper invoices, as was the process in the previous system, which are susceptible to loss or damage and risk disqualifying UAE citizens from reclaiming tax on their eligible purchases, according to Emirates News Agency (WAM) reports.
Director General of the FTA, Khalid Ali Al Bustani, said: “The launch of the ‘Maskan’ digital platform forms part of our efforts to implement the wise leadership’s vision to establish a modern housing system that ensures UAE citizens’ happiness and provides them with stability and a high quality of life.”
“The platform offers transparent and streamlined procedures to expedite the process for refunding taxes that Emirati citizens incurred on the construction of their new homes,” he added.
Al Bustani further informed me that the launch falls under the FTA’s continuous development plans, designed to keep pace with the government’s digital strategy to drive smart transformation.”
“The objective is to provide sustainable, proactive, and innovative services that reflect the leadership and excellence of the government system, meet users’ expectations, and fulfil the needs and requirements of the government of the future, which, in turn, align with the aspirations of smart city residents and provide them with renewed opportunities for sustainable development and wellbeing,” he added.
Executive Director of the Information Technology Sector at the Federal Tax Authority, Abdullah Al Bastaki, explained that the launch of the “Maskan” application will streamline and expedite the process for citizens’ reclaim of the value-added tax paid for the construction of their new homes.
“It came within the framework of the Authority’s commitment to the ‘Zero-Government Bureaucracy (ZGB)’ programme, which was launched by the UAE government to enhance efficiency in public services,” Al Bastaki said.
The programme initiated during this year’s government sessions seeks to accelerate the implementation of zero bureaucracy by fostering strong partnerships with the private sector.
The FTA participated in the programme that targets the elimination of 2,000 government procedures within a year and reduces the time taken for government services by 50 percent.
Al Bastaki stressed that the FTA will continue to provide facilities in all its services by abolishing more procedures and reducing the service duration in line with the programme for “Zero Government Bureaucracy.”.
The launch of the Maskan app marks a significant step forward in the UAE’s efforts to modernise its tax administration and improve the overall experience for its citizens. Download the app via the link.
With input from ANI
Follow on Twitter | Posted by Sayima Ahmad | 
