VAT has been implemented in the GCC. Around 95% of the consumer goods and services will attract tax which poses a significant challenge to business enterprises as they need to prepare themselves for upcoming challenges.
With the levy of the tax, the business models of many organizations will also be challenged which creates an immediate need to work on strategic, operational and tactical planning to combat challenges successfully.
A critical success factor for the VAT implementation will be upskilling yourself and your workforce with the right knowledge and skill-set in the coming months.
With this in mind, Strategic Axis Academy has designed a suite of the fit-for-purpose training modules that cover the fundamentals of the new tax legislation, and it’s impact on the market and the technical and financial understanding required to manage this change.
Please note that each module could be taken as a separate short 1-day course
You might be interested in another Accounting and Finance courses as a next step.
This course is fully compliant with FTA requirements.
YOU WILL LEARN HOW TO
Our VAT courses provide a comprehensive understanding of the VAT system, covering the fundamental principles of the VAT, regulation and administration, and guidance on the interpretation and consistent application of the GCC VAT legislation.
Our global network of expert tax professionals bring their knowledge and practical experience, gained from working within leading organizations, including many in jurisdictions with established VAT systems, into the classroom to give an insight into the commercial and practical realities of working with VAT. These courses equip you and your workforce with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to work with VAT.
Our diverse range of short courses has been carefully designed to address business requirements at all levels; executive, managerial and operational. They are suitable for corporate and government sectors and can be customised for in-house training requirements. We also offer the GCC VAT Compliance Diploma, the first and only accredited VAT certification in the GCC.
IMPORTANT COURSE INFORMATION
Participants who fully attend this course and complete the test on the last day will receive a Strategic Axis Professional Certificate (SAPC). SAPC certificates are regionally recognized and can be quite valuable when applying for more senior roles within the organization or outside.
Additionally, Participants could be awarded KHDA Certificate – Knowledge and Human Development Authority.
COURSE OUTLINE
An overview of the broader government strategy and objectives with regards to the VAT system
The taxable person
What is a taxable supply, and how to establish the taxable value of a supply
Output and input VAT
Place and time of supply
Registration requirements
Compliance and regulatory requirements
The commercial impact of VAT on your business and how the introduction of VAT will impact:
- Pricing
- Margins
- Resources
- Contracts
Other business considerations
- Registering as a group of companies for VAT
- International trade
- Contracts – transitional arrangements
An overview of the broader government strategy and objectives with regards to the VAT system
The taxable person
What is a taxable supply, and how to establish the taxable value of a supply
Output and input VAT
Place and time of supply
Registration requirements
Compliance and regulatory requirements
The commercial impact of VAT on your business and how the introduction of VAT will impact:
- Pricing
- Margins
- Resources
- Contracts
Other business considerations
- Registering as a group of companies for VAT
- International trade
- Contracts – transitional arrangements
Module 2: Accounting for VAT
VAT in the accounting system
What is a VAT invoice, and when is a VAT invoice required
- Which transactions require VAT invoices (and which do not)
- What does a VAT invoice look like
- What information must the VAT invoice include
Who is responsible for raising VAT invoices
What are the accounting entries to record VAT
Policies, procedures, controls, and authorizations, to improve the accuracy of accounting for VAT
Preparing the VAT return from the accounting records
Supporting reconciliations and documentation for the return
What VAT records must be maintained
Module 3: VAT for accounts receivable
Who is liable to pay VAT
When must VAT be charged
- Time of supply
- Place of supply
The applicable rate of VAT (standard, zero-rating, exempt item sand transactions out of the scope of VAT)
Nonstandard operations, when and how must VAT be accounted for in the cases of
- Sale, return
- Export
- Bad debts, and the relief for bad debts
- Supplies to employees
- Other deemed supplies
What is a VAT invoice
- What does a VAT invoice look like
- What information must the VAT invoice include
Invoicing procedures
- Special circumstances (electronic invoice, discounts, credit/debit notes)
What records and documentation should be maintained, and for how long
Calculating output VAT for inclusion in the VAT return
Module 4: VAT for accounts payable
What is a VAT invoice
What is input VAT
When and by whom can input VAT be deducted
How much VAT can be deducted
What input VAT is not deductible
What evidence or documentation is required to deduct input VAT, and how long should these records be maintained
Calculating input VAT for inclusion in the VAT return
Partial exemption: when should an organization apply proportional deduction, and how does it work
Module 5: Payment of VAT and filing of VAT returns
What is a VAT Return
What information is include on the VAT return
- For what period does a VAT return have to be completed (the accounting period)
- How do the accounting ledgers reconcile to the VAT return
- How to calculate VAT payable/repayable for the VAT accounting period
What is the due date for payment and filing of a VAT return
How does a business make a payment to the authorities
What are the documents to be submitted with a VAT Return
What are the provisions for small business
How is VAT calculated for companies with mixed zero-rated, standard-rated sales
What are the implications of non-payment/late payment of VAT
Module 6: International trade: VAT on cross border and free zone transactions
The meaning of International Trade
- Trading with countries outside the GCC
- Trading with countries within the GCC
How to determine the place of supply
- What are the general rules for supplies of goods and services
The reverse charge mechanism
Trading within and outside a free zone
The interaction of customs duties and VAT
Documentation requirements concerning cross-border transaction
Can input VAT on imports and acquisitions from GCC countries be reclaimed
Module 7: Registration for VAT
Registration Procedure
- When should an organization register for VAT, What is the time limit for registration, Documents to be filed for registration
- Certificate of Registration
Pre and post-registration provisions
- Credit for pre-registration input VAT
- Other rights and obligations
Exemption from Registration
Group registration
- Conditions, Procedure, Advantages and disadvantages
Circumstances forde-registration
Module 8: Key regulatory requirements
Reporting economic activity, and the requirement to register for VAT
Maintenance of records and key VAT documentation
Submission of VAT returns, and payment of VAT
Provision of information to regulators
Deduct input VAT (and adjustments of VAT deducted)
Refunds, settlements and bad debts
Appeals and assessments