In a boost to the visitor experience, the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) on 20 October unveiled what it calls the world’s first fully AI-driven VAT-refund platform for tourists. Piloted at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport and Dubai International Airport, the system uses machine-learning algorithms to verify receipts, detect fraud and process refunds in under 90 seconds. Since the UAE introduced tourist VAT refunds in 2018, more than AED 4.2 billion (US$1.14 billion) has been reimbursed across 25 million transactions. The FTA says the new platform will cut manual checks by 85 percent and integrate directly with retailers’ cloud POS systems, meaning overseas shoppers no longer need to queue at mall kiosks for paper tags. For global-mobility and travel managers, faster refunds translate to smoother departures and potentially reduced per-diem costs as staff spend less time air-side. The platform also supports e-commerce purchases delivered to UAE hotels—an increasingly popular option for executives on short stays—by allowing digital invoices to be uploaded via mobile wallet. Retailers must be onboarded by 1 March 2027 or risk fines, while airlines are exploring in-app refund status tracking to further streamline the journey. The FTA plans to extend the technology to cruise terminals in Ras Al Khaimah and Dubai’s new Mina Rashid extension next year.
Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)
