This site uses cookies to provide you with a more responsive and personalised service. By using this site you agree to our use of cookies. Please read our PRIVACY POLICY for more information on the cookies we use and how to delete or block them.
  • FTA introduces Whistleblower Program for Tax Violations and Evasion

FTA introduces Whistleblower Program for Tax Violations and Evasion

15 April 2022

The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) aims to enforce and continuously monitor the federal taxes in the UAE. To facilitate this, the FTA has introduced a new mechanism, “Raqeeb Programme (Whistleblower Program for Tax Violations and Evasion)”, to provide a framework for the FTA to review and process leads relating to tax non-compliances. The programme has monetary rewards for informants to encourage members of society to report tax non-compliance.

The FTA has released a guide to help informants understand the whistleblowing program and report business practices that violate the tax procedures. The guide also provides the details required in the whistleblowing form and the conditions that have to be met for an informant to be eligible for a monetary reward.

The leads covered under the Raqeeb Programme include suspected tax evasion (VAT and Excise tax) and suspected non-compliances with tax procedures such as invalid tax invoices incorrect amounts mentioned on tax invoices. The programme does not cover Economic Substance Regulation (ESR) non-compliance.

The whistleblowing form cannot be submitted anonymously to ensure validation of the authenticity of the information received. However, confidentiality provisions have been put in place and the identity of the informant will remain confidential and protected by the FTA.

There are certain conditions associated with the monetary rewards for the informants which are summarised below:

  • The information provided is credible and not obtained by FTA previously;
  • The whistleblowing form is filled accurately and completely;
  • The tax amounts collected from the reported business exceed AED 50,000;
  • The reported person has exhausted all forms of objections and appeals.

It is pertinent to note that FTA employees and their relatives up to forth degree of consanguinity will not be eligible for monetary rewards. However, they will still be able to report non-compliances under this programme.

The FTA guide on Raqeeb Programme can be found here.

The introduction of the Whistleblower program has a significant impact on businesses in UAE. Businesses should rectify any identified errors or omissions at the earliest voluntarily before any stakeholder reports the non-compliance to the FTA. Further, the businesses should have regular checks and reviews to ensure that they are in compliance with the VAT and Excise Tax laws. An inspection/ audit from FTA under the Whistleblower program may increase the possibility that any errors by the business will be treated as tax evasion, potentially resulting in higher penalties and imprisonment.

If you have any tax queries, please reach out to our tax team.