The UAE Federal Tax Authority (FTA) is running a series of open community meetings under its 'Emirates Majalis — Closer to Each Other' initiative throughout October and November 2026. The second session took place on 22 October at Al Barsha Majlis in Dubai, where FTA Director General His Excellency Abdulaziz Al Mulla invited taxpayers and stakeholders to share feedback directly with the Authority. Topics covered at the Dubai session included VAT refund procedures for UAE Nationals building private residences, the role of Emirati Tax Agents, and guidance for Emirati-owned SMEs.
Three further sessions are scheduled: Al Ain (Salem bin Loutia Al Ameri Majlis, 24 October), Sharjah (Al Rahmaniya Suburb Council, 27 October), and Abu Dhabi (Hilal Zayed Al Shehhi Majlis, 3 November). The FTA's stated purpose is to simplify procedures, improve customer experience, and advance the third cycle of the UAE's Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme. Specialised FTA teams attend each session to answer procedural questions on the spot.
What this means for our clients
For founders and business owners operating in the UAE, these sessions represent a relatively rare opportunity to raise tax procedure questions directly with FTA specialists — without going through formal written channels. The initiative does not itself change any tax rules or deadlines, but the FTA's explicit focus on simplifying procedures and reducing bureaucracy suggests that founder and taxpayer feedback submitted now may influence near-term service design. Clients in Al Ain, Sharjah, or Abu Dhabi in particular may find it worth attending the remaining sessions before they conclude in November.
For the full announcement and session details, visit the FTA news page at tax.gov.ae. If you would like to understand how current VAT procedures or the Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme affect your UAE entity, speak with our team at Sirius Consulting.