The Bahrain Tax Agency released an updated VAT general guide in English on Jan. 28, 2026. The guide clarifies that outsourced services are taxable, VAT is due on full consideration when third‑party providers assign roles under direct supervision, and employee salaries remain outside VAT. These updates aim to provide clearer guidance for businesses operating in Bahrain.
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Docnova · 2 months ago
Bahrain’s National Bureau for Revenue released guidance version 1.5 on March 11 2026 clarifying that VAT paid as deposits during import is not immediately recoverable. Registered persons must obtain a customs declaration receipt confirming a ‘VAT confiscation’ status before they can reclaim the VAT, and the recovery must occur within five years from the end of the calendar year in which the deposit becomes recoverable.
Bloomberg Tax · 4 months ago
The Bahraini National Bureau for Revenue released updated guidance on VAT treatment of real‑estate lease incentives on 29 January 2026. The guide clarifies that rent reductions and rent‑free periods are exempt, while reimbursements for fit‑out contributions are taxable. It also provides examples of common lease incentives used by landlords.
Comarch · about 21 hours ago
The UAE Ministry of Finance released version 1.1 of its Electronic Invoicing Guidelines on 1 June 2026, clarifying data storage responsibilities, advance payment invoicing, and sample invoice calculations to support the country’s digital tax infrastructure.
VatCalc · 4 days ago
UAE Ministry of Finance has issued updated e‑invoicing guidelines ahead of the July 2026 pilot, detailing the launch timetable, transition periods, and storage responsibilities. The guidelines confirm that all UAE businesses must adopt e‑invoicing, with a 24‑month transition for VAT groups and specific turnover thresholds for phased compliance. Taxpayers remain responsible for archiving invoices even when using accredited service providers, and advance payment invoicing must be linked within the Peppol PINT‑AE framework.
The Invoicing Hub · 20 days ago
Oman will introduce mandatory e‑invoicing for B2B and B2G transactions using a 5‑corner Peppol network, and for B2C via a clearance model through OTA’s Fawtara platform. The rollout begins with a pilot in August 2026, followed by mandatory phases in February 2027 and August 2027 for all VAT‑registered taxpayers.
E-Invoice.app · 27 days ago
UAE's Ministry of Finance has extended the deadline for large taxpayers to appoint an Accredited Service Provider (ASP) to 30 October 2026, while keeping the mandatory e‑invoicing go‑live dates unchanged. Large businesses must issue e‑invoices via the Peppol network in PINT AE format from 1 January 2027, with smaller businesses and government entities following in July and October 2027 respectively. The amendment also introduces a white‑label mechanism for ASP accreditation, allowing UAE‑based firms to partner with international technology providers.
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Key Takeaways
It states that such services are considered taxable supplies of services under the general rules.
VAT is due on the full consideration that the provider or agency receives.
No, salaries, wages, or benefits contractually payable to seconded or mandated employees remain outside the scope of VAT at the employee level.
Primary source
Read the full article at Bloomberg TaxThis summary was published on VATfaqs.com on 3 February 2026. It relates to VAT developments in Bahrain. The original source is Bloomberg Tax.
