H.H. Sheikh Maktoum Reviews FTA Strategy, Expands AI Integration

Dubai, UAE: H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federal Tax Authority (FTA), chaired a meeting of the Authority’s Board of Directors to review its strategic development agenda and digital transformation roadmap.

During the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Maktoum reviewed progress on the FTA’s plans to enhance operational systems, expand digital services, and implement highly efficient business models designed to deliver proactive, user-focused tax services. These initiatives form part of the UAE leadership’s broader directives to strengthen the tax system’s role in ensuring financial sustainability while reinforcing the country’s global competitiveness.

A central focus of the meeting was the Authority’s Artificial Intelligence strategy. H.H. Sheikh Maktoum directed the expanded adoption of AI technologies to further enhance efficiency and streamline procedures through AI-enabled tax services, reinforcing the government’s commitment to advanced digital innovation across federal entities.

Sheikh Maktoum was also briefed on the Authority’s performance indicators and operational achievements over the recent period, alongside development plans for the next phase. He commended the FTA’s sustained high performance and its effective contribution to implementing national economic diversification policies through the management and collection of federal taxes in accordance with international best practices.

Registrations and Compliance Milestones

A report presented during the meeting highlighted continued growth in tax registrations. The number of Corporate Tax registrants has reached approximately 710,000, while VAT registrants stand at around 573,000. Excise Tax registrants totalled 1,767, and registered tax agents reached 899.

The report also confirmed that applications submitted by UAE nationals for VAT refunds on newly built homes amounted to AED94.44 million (approximately $25.7 million) through December 2025 and January 2026.

Advancing Digital Zero Bureaucracy

The Authority reported strong progress under the Digital Zero Bureaucracy Programme, implementing 75 initiatives during its second cycle, compared to 29 initiatives in the first cycle. All initiatives have been uploaded to the Zero Bureaucracy platform, supported by more than 1,500 documents detailing completed measures.

Board members also reviewed developments related to the integrated tax platform, EmaraTax, including electronic linking procedures between the FTA and relevant government entities. These integrations are designed to facilitate voluntary compliance and simplify tax processes for businesses and individuals.

Further updates were provided on the implementation of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax Law (Pillar Two project) and the e-Invoicing project, being rolled out in cooperation between the Ministry of Finance and the FTA as part of the UAE’s broader digital innovation strategy.

The e-Invoicing initiative aims to strengthen voluntary compliance through secure and automated mechanisms, standardising invoicing processes and enabling real-time invoice exchange. The system is aligned with international best practices and facilitates smoother tax reporting to the FTA, while enhancing the overall customer experience.

As the FTA continues to scale AI-enabled services and digital infrastructure, the Authority is reinforcing its position as a cornerstone of the UAE’s financial governance framework and its transition toward a technology-driven, future-ready economy.