General Tax Authority Seizes Goods Non-Compliant with Laws Governing the Circulation of Tobacco Products and Their Derivatives

As part of its ongoing efforts to enhance tax compliance, the General Tax Authority announced the seizure of a number of retail outlets found in violation of the Excise Tax Law, as part of its regulatory campaigns aimed at combating the illicit circulation of tobacco products. The Authority’s inspection team, succeeded in seizing and confiscating more than 5,000 packs of tobacco products that were not bearing approved tax stamps and did not meet the approved specifications. Legal reports were issued against the owners of the violating outlets, in preparation for taking and completing the necessary legal actions in accordance with the applicable legislation. These measures come as part of the Authority’s ongoing inspection campaigns, which include the analysis and auditing of supply chains to detect and combat the illicit trade of tobacco products, and the application of compliance standards set out in the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, thereby contributing to the reduction of health risks associated with the circulation of smuggled products, which pose greater risks to consumer health. The Authority’s efforts in this regard are aligned with the Third National Development Strategy (2024–2030), which aims to ensure a high quality of life for individuals by reducing the prevalence of smoking. They are also consistent with the National Health Strategy, which seeks to protect members of society from the risks of tobacco and its derivatives through the imposition of taxes on the production and importation of these products, thereby enhancing public health in the State of Qatar. It is worth noting that the tax stamp is a distinctive mark in the form of a physical label or a digital code containing encrypted data, affixed to excise-taxable goods. The General Tax Authority launched the first and second phases of the tax stamp system in 2022, while the third phase began implementation in early 2023 within local markets. This phase stipulates that all tobacco products and their derivatives circulated in local markets must bear approved tax stamps. The General Tax Authority affirmed that it will continue its inspection campaigns to monitor illicit trade in tobacco products, calling on all relevant entities to comply with the provisions of tax laws and related executive regulations to avoid legal accountability. 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. In this context, the Authority continues its efforts to promote a culture of voluntary compliance and strengthen public trust in the tax system, thereby contributing to higher levels of tax compliance.

General Tax Authority Announces Tax Return Filing Period for the Financial Year Ended 31 December 2025

The General Tax Authority (GTA) has announced that the tax return filing period for the financial year ended 31 December 2025, will commence on 1 January 2026 and continue until 30 April 2026. This comes in compliance with the provisions of Income Tax Law No. (24) of 2018, its Executive Regulations, and their amendments. The tax return filing requirements apply to all entities subject to the provisions of the Law, including tax-exempt companies, companies owned by Qatari nationals or nationals of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, as well as private associations and institutions, private charitable associations and institutions, and private public-benefit institutions established in accordance with the laws governing each of them. The General Tax Authority urges all companies and institutions holding a commercial registration or trade license — including those exempt from tax — to submit their tax returns within the specified period through the electronic “Dhareeba” platform. The Authority also affirms its commitment to providing all forms of support and assistance to taxpayers and to facilitating the tax return filing process through its official communication channels, including the Call Center (16565) and email (support@dhareeba.qa), to ensure compliance with the prescribed legal deadlines. This approach comes as part of the Authority’s commitment to establishing a fair and transparent tax environment, implementing relevant laws and legislation, and enhancing the level of tax compliance.

General Tax Authority Announces Tax Return Filing Period for the Financial Year Ended 31 December 2025

The General Tax Authority (GTA) has announced that the tax return filing period for the financial year ended 31 December 2025, will commence on 1 January 2026 and continue until 30 April 2026.

General Tax Authority's Establishment Anniversary

General Tax Authority Organizes a Chess Training Program to Develop Employees’ Skills

The General Tax Authority organized a three-day chess training program in collaboration with the Qatar Chess Federation, with the participation of a number of male and female employees. This initiative reflects the Authority’s commitment to developing the intellectual and cognitive skills of its human capital. The program aims to enhance strategic thinking capabilities and develop planning and decision-making skills by introducing the fundamentals of chess and their practical applications. It focuses on analyzing situations, anticipating outcomes, and developing alternative strategies. This initiative comes as part of the General Tax Authority’s ongoing efforts to foster a positive and motivating work environment and to develop employees’ skills through innovative approaches that contribute to improving job performance and promoting a balance between professional development and intellectual activities, thereby positively impacting the quality of institutional performance.

Qatar National Day

Arabic Language Day

Human Rights Day

The General Tax Authority Announces the Opening of the “Tabadol” Portal for Country-by-Country Reporting (CbCR)

The General Tax Authority (GTA) has announced the opening of the “Tabadol” portal for submitting Country-by-Country Reporting (CbCR) for the fiscal year 2024, as well as the notifications for the fiscal year 2025, with a deadline of December 31, 2025. This initiative targets taxpayers, accounting firms, and auditors, enabling the relevant authorities to gain a comprehensive and accurate view of the activities of multinational companies. The “Tabadol” portal is an electronic platform dedicated to exchange tax information with relevant authorities in partner jurisdictions, in line with international agreements. The GTA clarified that multinational companies headquartered in Qatar with total revenues of QAR 3 billion or more during the reported fiscal year are required to submit these reports and notifications. All targeted taxpayers are urged to comply with the deadlines and to use the portal to submit accurate information in a timely manner. The GTA emphasized that the purpose of these reports is to enhance trust and cooperation between countries in the field of taxation, improving law enforcement, and reducing the risk of double taxation, thereby contributing to a transparent and stable investment environment.

Signing of Agreement Between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Uruguay to Avoid Double Taxation and Enhance Economic Cooperation