Harmonizing Value Added Tax Legislation in the Gulf Cooperation Council: A Necessity for Economic Integration

Abstract

The proper functioning of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) single market necessitates the elimination of discriminatory value-added tax (VAT) laws on commodities. This study aims to empirically assess the imperative for harmonizing VAT legislation among GCC countries. Data for this investigation were gathered from diverse sources, including ministry websites, VAT laws of each country, published articles, and other online repositories related to VAT. Statistical analysis was conducted using Microsoft Excel, with harmonization as the dependent variable and factors influencing Value Added Tax Legislation as independent variables. The findings underscore the significance of harmonizing VAT legislation in GCC nations to optimize the efficacy of tax laws and address challenges faced by companies due to discriminatory VAT regulations and double taxation. This study contributes by evaluating the current state and necessity for harmonizing VAT legislation in the GCC, providing timely insights for policymakers, regulators, and practitioners to comprehend its importance.

Keywords

• value added tax
• gcc
• harmonizing