VATLive > Blog > VAT > Saudi Arabia should double VAT to 10%

Saudi Arabia should double VAT to 10%

  • Sep 13, 2019 | Richard Asquith

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recommended that Saudi Arabia doubles its VAT rate from 5% to 10%.  

The IMF stated that, with continued depressed oil prices, the kingdom’s deficit is set to continue to grow. It should therefore consider raising its standard VAT rate to 10%. 

Saudi Arabia introduced VAT in 2018. It did so following agreement in 2017 with the five other members of the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council to implement a harmonised VAT union. To date, only Saudi, UAE and Bahrain have introduced the indirect tax regime. Bahrain is expected next; Qatar and Kuwait remain uncommitted on dates.

If Saudi were to move ahead with a rate raise, the IMF suggests it do so in coordination with the other Gulf states. This could mean delaying any rise until at least 2022 as the remaining states launch their VAT regimes.


Saudi Arabia VAT news

Total results : 4
avalara:content-tags/asset-type/blog-post,avalara:content-tags/tax-type/vat,avalara:content-tags/primary-blog-tags/vatlive/location/africa-and-middle-east/middle-east/saudi-arabia,avalara:content-tags/location/world/middle-east-and-africa/saudi-arabia
Jan-11-2023

Union vs non-Union OSS: what’s the difference?

avalara:content-tags/asset-type/blog-post,avalara:content-tags/tax-type/vat,avalara:content-tags/primary-blog-tags/vatlive/location/africa-and-middle-east/middle-east/saudi-arabia,avalara:content-tags/location/world/middle-east-and-africa/saudi-arabia
Nov-8-2022

UK VAT Guide - Avalara

avalara:content-tags/asset-type/blog-post,avalara:content-tags/tax-type/vat,avalara:content-tags/primary-blog-tags/vatlive/location/africa-and-middle-east/middle-east/saudi-arabia,avalara:content-tags/location/world/middle-east-and-africa/saudi-arabia
Jul-5-2022

North America Country VAT Guide - Avalara


VP Global Indirect Tax
Richard Asquith
VP Global Indirect Tax Richard Asquith
Richard Asquith is the former VP Global Indirect Tax at Avalara
VATlive newsletter