GCC Countries VAT Implementation | Shuraa Tax, Accounting And Auditing

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is a group of six countries in the Middle East — Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain. These countries have a lot in common when it comes to their culture, economy, and political goals. Historically, GCC economies have heavily relied on oil and gas revenues. However, fluctuations in global oil prices have underscored the need for economic diversification. To reduce their dependence on oil revenue and create more stable economies, the GCC countries decided to introduce Value Added Tax (VAT). VAT in GCC is a type of tax that’s added to most goods and services whenever value is added at each stage of production and distribution. It’s a way for these countries to generate revenue and strengthen their economies.