The General Tax Authority participated in the Fifth International Conference on Fiscal Policies and Economic Development in Qatar, organised by Qatar University in cooperation with the Authority, under the theme “Tax Transformation: Its Impact on Taxpayers and Tax Authorities”. The conference commenced today and will continue until 23 September 2026. It brings together a distinguished group of experts, researchers, representatives of international financial institutions, universities, government entities, and consultancy firms. His Excellency Mr Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Jaham Al-Kuwari, President of the General Tax Authority, delivered a keynote address during the opening session of the conference, in which he said: “The importance of this gathering stems from its role as a space for dialogue, where knowledge meets experience, and research meets practice; bringing together those who study policies, those who implement them, and those who are affected by their outcomes.” His Excellency continued: “For our part at the General Tax Authority, we focus on developing an efficient and reliable tax administration that facilitates procedures and develops digital services. We continue to develop capabilities and utilise data to support decision-making, and we view cooperation with Qatar University and research institutions as an important partnership in directing these efforts towards the priorities of the national economy and its needs.” The conference addressed tax transformation and the challenges facing taxpayers and tax authorities, as countries move towards strengthening the role of tax revenues in financing development. It discussed tax reform programmes, including the development of legislation and the modernisation of tax administration, with a focus on the requirements for restructuring tax systems in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, as well as ways to enhance taxpayer compliance and improve the efficiency of tax administration. The Authority’s participation reflects its commitment to linking institutional practice with scientific research and benefiting from the exchange of expertise in developing the national tax system. Its cooperation with Qatar University also demonstrates the importance of partnerships between government entities and academic institutions in examining implementation challenges and developing solutions that respond to the needs of the Qatari economy and support sustainable development goals.

The State of Qatar and the Russian Federation signed a memorandum of understanding on technical cooperation in tax administration, aimed at exchanging expertise and knowledge and developing tax systems and practices in both countries. The MoU was signed on behalf of Qatar, by H.E. Mr. Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Jaham Al-Kuwari, President of the General Tax Authority, and on behalf of Russia by H.E. Daniil Egorov, Commissioner of the Federal Tax Service. The MoU covers several areas of mutual interest, including technological development and digital transformation strategies, developing of a taxpayer-centred tax administration model, strengthening tax compliance frameworks, and developing tax collection and debt management strategies. It also provides for the exchange of expertise on tax incentives and future tax policies. Cooperation also includes exchanging information and expertise; organising training programmes, seminars, working sessions and reciprocal visits; implementing joint initiatives and projects; and sharing technical expertise and developing staff skills. These efforts will contribute to strengthening institutional capabilities and enhancing tax administration efficiency in both countries. The signing of the MoU reflects the General Tax Authority’s commitment to expanding international cooperation and drawing on leading experiences and practices to further develop Qatar’s tax system, enhance its efficiency and ensure alignment with international standards.

The General Tax Authority in cooperation with the relevant authorities, conducted an inspection campaign at a number of commercial establishments to verify their compliance with the Excise Tax Law and the regulations governing the circulation of excise goods. The campaign identified violations at several retail outlets, including the sale of tobacco products without approved tax stamps and excise goods not authorised for sale. More than 200 kilograms of tobacco products were seized and confiscated, while relevant licences, documents and records were also inspected. The GTA’s Anti-Tax Evasion team took the necessary measures against the non-compliant outlets and documented the violations to initiate the prescribed legal proceedings. Tax stamps are distinctive markings affixed to excise goods covered by the tax stamp system to confirm payment of the tax due and verify that the goods may be legally traded. Trading these goods without approved tax stamps is prohibited under the provisions and procedures set out in the applicable legislation. The GTA reaffirmed its commitment to continuing inspection campaigns, in cooperation and coordination with the relevant authorities, to strengthen market oversight and combat the illicit trade in excise goods, helping improve compliance with tax legislation and protect public health. The Authority also urged importers of cigarettes and other tobacco products to register on the “Dhareeba” platform under the excise goods track-and-trace system, noting that the import or circulation of any excise goods within the country is not permitted without valid and activated excise stamps, and comply with the relevant laws and executive regulations to avoid legal action.

The General Tax Authority participated in the 17th Meeting of the Committee of Heads and Directors of Tax Administrations in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) States, held in Kingdom of Bahrain, on 8 September 2026. The meeting brought together Their Excellencies, the heads and directors of tax administrations across the GCC. His Excellency Mr Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Jaham Al-Kuwari, President of the General Tax Authority, headed the State of Qatar’s delegation to the meeting. The meeting addressed a range of topics related to the development of tax systems across the GCC, including regulatory and legislative frameworks, as well as greater integration between electronic systems. Participants also reviewed key regional and international developments and relevant experiences, while discussing areas of coordination and shared interest among the Member States. Participants emphasised the importance of strengthening joint GCC action and continuing coordination in the tax field to support the development of tax policies, economic diversification programmes and sustainable development across the GCC States. They also highlighted the role of regular meetings in aligning efforts and strengthening institutional capabilities in support of the Member States’ shared economic objectives. The meeting forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation and coordination among GCC tax authorities and administrations, enhance the efficiency of tax systems across the Member States, and align tax policies and procedures with global economic developments, while advancing GCC economic integration.

General Tax Authority announced that, effective 1 November 2026, the analysis certificates required for the registration of sweetened drinks will be approved electronically through the Dhareeba platform, through direct integration with laboratories accredited by the Ministry of Public Health and registered with the Authority, without the need to attach them manually. Under the new procedures, the taxpayer submits a product registration application through the Dhareeba platform, then delivers the sample to one of the accredited laboratories to conduct the required tests and determine the types and quantities of sugars and sweeteners. Once the laboratory approves the results, the test data and analysis certificate are automatically sent to the Dhareeba platform. The electronic integration enables test results and analysis certificates to be received directly through the platform, contributing to reducing manual procedures, enhancing data accuracy, and improving the integration of information related to product registration applications. The completion of the integration coincides with the expansion of the scope of the excise tax on sweetened drinks and comes as part of the Authority’s efforts to develop its digital services and enhance electronic integration with relevant entities.

The General Tax Authority places great importance on building effective partnerships with national educational institutions to support the development of professional training and qualification programmes and strengthen its efforts to build specialised expertise in the tax field. As part of these efforts, the Authority signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with Qatar Finance and Business Academy. The agreement was signed by H.E. Mr. Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Jaham Al-Kuwari, President of the General Tax Authority, and Dr. Khalifa Al-Salahi Al-Yafei, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Finance and Business Academy. The Authority also signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with Qatar University, represented by Mr. Ghanim bin Khalifa Al-Attiyah, Assistant President of the General Tax Authority for Tax Affairs, and Professor Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Al-Kaabi, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at Qatar University. These partnerships support the development of the “Tax Specialist” programme, helping to enhance the readiness and capabilities of professionals to keep pace with developments in the tax landscape. The collaboration aims to expand opportunities for partnership and facilitate the exchange of expertise and knowledge between the Authority and academic and professional institutions. It also seeks to leverage their capabilities to enhance professional qualifications in tax-related disciplines, contributing to the development of qualified national human capital capable of meeting labor market needs and supporting the country’s economic development. These partnerships will enable the participating entities to benefit from the “Tax Specialist” Certificate program and contribute to its delivery and further development. This, in turn, will support the qualification and certification of specialists capable of providing tax services and advisory support in accordance with the regulations, rules, and instructions approved by the Authority. It will also contribute to enhancing the quality of professional practices and promoting efficiency, transparency, and compliance in the services provided to taxpayers. This initiative forms part of the Authority’s efforts to make the “Tax Specialist” Certificate available in the future to a broader range of individuals seeking to specialize and pursue careers in the tax field. At a later stage, the Authority also looks forward to opening the program to other national educational institutions, encouraging Qatari youth to pursue careers in taxation and helping meet the growing demand for specialized professionals within the Authority and across various entities and sectors in the State of Qatar. The General Tax Authority affirmed that building sustainable partnerships with educational and professional institutions is a key pillar in advancing professional qualification and development. Such partnerships will help the tax sector keep pace with developments in the field, while responding to labor market needs and supporting economic development in the State of Qatar.

The General Tax Authority (GTA) celebrated the graduation of its first cohort of employees who earned the “Tax Specialist” Certificate. The cohort comprises more than 20 employees from various departments across the Authority, marking an important step in the GTA’s ongoing efforts to develop specialized national talent and make sustainable investments in human capital. The certificate is the first specialized professional certification for tax specialists to be accredited by the Authority, in addition to being recognized by international professional bodies. This enhances its professional value and contributes to establishing a clear standard for qualification and professional development in the tax field. The program aims to develop participants’ technical and professional knowledge and enhance their ability to effectively handle various tax matters and cases through a curriculum that combines specialized knowledge with practical application relevant to the workplace. The program includes intensive in-person sessions and concludes with an examination to assess the knowledge and competencies acquired by participants. In this context, Mr. Mohammed Jassim Al Najdi, Director of the Human Resources Department at the General Tax Authority, said: “The graduation of the first cohort marks an important milestone in the development of specialized national competencies and reflects the Authority’s commitment to providing high-quality professional opportunities that enable its employees to further develop their knowledge and skills, while enhancing their readiness to keep pace with the evolving requirements of tax administration.” He added: “We believe that investing in our employees has a direct impact on operational efficiency and the quality of services provided to taxpayers. We look forward to continuing to develop the program and expanding its reach in the next phase.” The graduation of the first cohort marks the beginning of a sustainable professional development pathway through which the Authority seeks to foster a culture of continuous learning and development and build a strong pool of qualified national professionals in the tax field. Building on this progress, the Authority is preparing to launch the second cohort of the program, with plans to expand its reach in the future to include specialists and professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge and skills in taxation. This initiative reflects the Authority’s broader commitment to investing in human capital as a key pillar of the tax system’s development in the State of Qatar, while supporting institutional efficiency and enhancing the quality of services provided to taxpayers.

His Excellency Mr. Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Jaham Al-Kuwari, President of the General Tax Authority, met with His Excellency Mr. Hong Ji-pyo, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the State of Qatar. During the meeting, they discussed key tax trends and developments, as well as several matters of mutual interest. The two sides also discussed ways to strengthen tax cooperation between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Korea, and exchange knowledge and expertise, contributing to the development of joint cooperation in relevant tax matters.

The General Tax Authority has announced the launch of its online meeting booking service through the Dhareeba Platform, as a new step in the Authority’s digital transformation journey to develop communication channels with taxpayers and facilitate their access to services. The service enables taxpayers to submit a request for a meeting with the Authority to discuss their tax-related enquiries and matters, providing an organised and direct channel of communication with the relevant departments and specialists. The service enables taxpayers to select a suitable appointment time and specify the meeting topic in advance, in addition to providing the relevant data, information, and documents related to the matter to be discussed. This allows the relevant department to review the request, prepare for the meeting, and provide guidance and information more accurately and effectively. Taxpayers can access the service by logging in to the Dhareeba Platform and registering through the National Authentication System “Tawtheeq”, then submitting the meeting request electronically. The request will then be directed to the relevant department or specialist, and taxpayers can track its status electronically, helping to organise meeting schedules and facilitate access to the relevant department. The launch of this service reflects the Authority’s commitment to leveraging digital solutions to simplify procedures and enhance the taxpayer experience by enabling appointments to be booked in advance and meetings to be organised, providing a more convenient and flexible channel for direct and effective communication. It also enhances the efficiency of responses to tax-related enquiries and matters and enables support and guidance to be provided to taxpayers more quickly and effectively, contributing to greater awareness of tax obligations and supporting tax compliance. You can book a meeting through the following link: https://meeting.gta.gov.qa/

The General Tax Authority announced that the taxpayer compliance rate for filing tax returns for the 2025 tax year reached 90%, representing an increase of 13.9% compared with the 2024 tax year. This reflects the continued improvement in the efficiency of the tax system. The increase in compliance is the result of the Authority’s ongoing efforts to develop tax administration through digital transformation, improve the services provided to taxpayers, and strengthen communication and engagement with them. Continued enhancements to the Dhareeba Portal have made tax services faster, easier, and more accessible. Improvements to electronic services have also helped simplify tax return filing procedures and support taxpayers in meeting their obligations. As part of its ongoing efforts to raise awareness and promote a culture of tax compliance, the Authority implemented a comprehensive awareness campaign that included publishing informative and guidance content through its official website and social media platforms. These efforts helped clarify tax obligations and tax return filing procedures, simplify processes, and facilitate access to information for different categories of taxpayers. The Authority also continues to develop its direct communication channels with taxpayers, respond to their enquiries, and provide the guidance required to support them in fulfilling their tax obligations accurately and within the specified deadlines. The General Tax Authority reaffirmed its commitment to continuing to strengthen tax compliance by developing its digital services and expanding taxpayer awareness initiatives, thereby reinforcing its partnership with taxpayers and contributing to the development of a more efficient and transparent tax system.