The Law follows the framework of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) VAT Agreement – similar but not exactly the same as what has been implemented in Bahrain, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and United Arab Emirates (UAE). Executive Regulations are expected to be released in two months’ time i.e. by December 2020. Headlines are that the standard rate of VAT will be 5% on the go-live date, with zero-rating and exemptions applying to some supplies.

The scope of VAT is very wide, and likely to apply on most goods and services. VAT would also be applicable on importation of goods and services into Oman. Transactions like “free of charge” items and private use of business assets are to be treated as “deemed” supplies, falling within the VAT territory.

Exemption

We expect the Law to provide exemption from VAT for certain supplies like financial services, healthcare and education, bare land, renting or resale of residential property, etc…

Zero-rating–Zero-rating is likely to be applied to:

• Certain food items (like, dairy products, fruits and vegetables, fresh eggs, water, tea and coffee beans, sugar, salt, bread, grains, baby food products, fish, meats);
• Medicines and medical equipment;
• Investment gold, silver and platinum;
• International or intra-GCC transport of goods as well as passengers, plus related services;
• Crude oil, oil derivatives and natural gas;
• Supply of means of transport like aircrafts, vessels, etc.; and
• Exports of goods and services.

More details on specific transactions to be exempted or zero-rated and applicable conditions should be set out in the Executive Regulations and guidance to be issued by the TA.

Registration Requirements

Registration process have already begun from January 2021. More guidance is expected shortly. Based on the GCC VAT Agreement, the different types of registrations expected, include:

Mandatory registration:

Subject to any transition period or rules, businesses reaching the GCC set mandatory registration threshold (United States Dollar (USD)100,000 or Omani Rial (OMR)38,500 of taxable turnover in a year) would have to compulsorily register. Details of how this will work – a mechanism of both looking forward and back – is expected shortly. Note that there is likely to be relief given for businesses making only zero-rated supplies. Such businesses would have an option to seek exemption from registration, subject to the prior approval of the TA. Once again details to be confirmed.

Voluntary registration: 

Businesses which do not reach the mandatory registration threshold would have an option for voluntary registration. There is to be a prescribed threshold for voluntary registration determined based on the value of total supplies (probably (USD50,000 or OMR19,250) or on qualifying expenses

VAT grouping:

Businesses having multiples entities within a corporate group would be likely to have an option of forming a VAT group. The advantage for businesses seeking group registration would be that, supplies made within the group would be outside the scope of VAT. In our experience, it would be worthy to do a feasibility study before forming a tax group under VAT.

Non-resident persons:

Businesses with no place of residence in Oman would also be likely to compulsorily seek registration, if they make any taxable supplies in Oman. There is no minimum registration threshold for non-resident persons as per the GCC VAT Agreement. A non-resident business would likely to have an option to appoint an agent in Oman – we understand that the agent does not have to be jointly and severally liable, nor a fiscal representative of the principal. More will emerge in the VAT Law and the Executive Regulations.

Customs duty suspension zones, free zones and special zones:

Businesses operating in tax or customs duty suspension zones, free zones or special zones should take note of special VAT rules. Based on our experience, certain concessional VAT treatments are likely to be applicable for supplies within, to and from the customs duty suspension zones, free zones or special zones. Importers, who are availing themselves of customs duty suspension benefits under the GCC Common Customs Law, would also likely be eligible for similar benefits under VAT – we expect some clarifications in the coming weeks.

Invoicing requirements:

Every person making any taxable supply of goods or services would have to mandatorily issue tax invoices. Details required on tax invoices generally include dates, specifics of transactions covered, VAT rates and amounts in addition to data on the business issuing the tax invoice. English tax invoices are expected to be accepted, as may electronic invoices. The Executive Regulations, expected in the next 2 months, will detail these requirements and should also specify conditions for simplified tax invoices, as well as define cases where a business would be exempted from issuing tax invoices.

Compliance:
Some of the other key compliance requirements in VAT include:

• Record keeping:
  

  Every registered taxpayer will have to maintain proper records – including details of tax invoices, customs documents, accounting books plus for import and export transactions.

• Returns filing:
  

  Returns are to be filed in respect of tax periods (expected to normally be three months), with due dates for filing the return either the end of the following month or 30 days following the end of the tax period.

• Collection/refund of VAT: 
  

  Net tax due shall be payable to the TA in line with the returns filing period – the end of the following month or within a period of 30 days from the end of the tax period. VAT on imports of goods is expected to be due on the dates of importation or may have an option to defer payment of VAT until the due date of submission of the tax return, subject to conditions.

Transitional provisions:

The Law also is expected to set out a transition period, plus rules on the applicability of VAT on transactions which would straddle the effective dates of VAT implementation. We await further details – particularly on long term supply arrangements.

Penalties:

In case of violation or non-fulfilment of VAT obligations, penalty provisions are expected to apply. More information will emerge on how these rules will apply.,/p>

What does this mean to you and what are the next steps?

The Oman tax landscape is rapidly changing now that VAT will become a reality. Businesses need to start preparing for implementation now by evaluating where they are at the present date, what have their teams done so far, what are the available resources? And if they have a plan as to how they can get ready? From GSPU’s recent VAT implementation experience across the GCC and globally, even the most streamlined, efficient and organized enterprises need at least 3 months to prepare.

We of course face unprecedented challenges with COVID-19, plunging oil prices, and stuttering markets. Now it is not the time to panic – but with clear-headed planning, and an experienced, practically-minded advisor, you navigate these challenges and be ready for day one VAT compliance.

Dealing with VAT is a complex task. Organizing the VAT work-streams is extremely important that involves assessment, service design and implementation, technical analysis, change management, etc. VAT implementation includes a few phases that need to be met by an organization to carry out VAT services. These are:

The revenue part is to be drafted and taken care of excluding any new operational cost to the business.

VAT process design is initiated along with new supply chain structures, VAT training materials for the internal management, build IT projects to deliver tax-technical results.

Sample testing is done on the projects built, review it from VAT perspective and develop trial run-generated VAT report, highlight on the issues found.

Review and cross-check on the effectiveness of supply-chain management and sample transactions, highlight the potential areas in terms of VAT compliance.

The taxable person shall file a Tax Return within 30 days from the end of Taxable period and it shall include the following details.

1. Value of Taxable and Exempted Supplies
2. Value of Imported Goods
3. Value of Output tax for the period
4. Value of Input claimed
5. Tax due.

GSPU has been a business consultant helping business entities in dealing with their accounting and taxation services at a global level. We have helped business entities to frame and meet their VAT requirements.   Our business experts will help you in understanding the international vat structure, deal with the changes that occur due to VAT implementation and make them easier. Few of our VAT services are:

• • • VAT registration and VAT Group registration
    • VAT compliance and control
    • Filing and payment
    • Data recording and management
    • Accounting
    • Supplier management
    • Customer management

Thus, you have seen how important a role VAT plays when it comes to dealing with business firms. Avoidance or negligence in the implementation of VAT services could result in payment of a penalty. So, don’t let your business fall into the penalty pit and avail the best benefits. To implement the VAT services in your business, do contact us today. We’d be happy to assist.