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March 30, 2021
2021-0662

Qatar extends 2020 tax filing deadlines

Executive summary

On 24 March 2021, Qatar’s General Tax Authority (GTA) issued Circulars No. 1 and 2 of 2021 to extend the deadline for filing tax returns for the 2020 tax year.

Detailed discussion

For taxable persons (including companies wholly owned by Qatari/or Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nationals where the shareholders are not all resident in Qatar), other than those engaged in the field of petroleum and petrochemical operations, the new filing and payment deadlines are as follows:

  • For taxpayers using the standard tax year end of 31 December 2020, the deadline has been extended until 30 June 2021.

  • For taxpayers with an approved tax year end other than 31 December 2020, the deadline for filing has been extended by two months.

There is no extension for taxpayers who are operating in the field of petroleum and petrochemical operations.

For companies that are wholly owned by Qatari or GCC nationals who are resident in Qatar, and therefore exempt from income tax, the GTA has issued the following guidance:

  • Tax-exempt companies with capital of at least QAR1m or annual revenue of at least QAR5m are required to file audited financial statements along with their annual income tax return through the Dhareeba portal.

  • Tax-exempt companies with capital of less than QAR1m and annual revenue of less than QAR5m are required to file non-audited financial statements along with a simplified annual income tax return through the Dhareeba portal.

  • Tax-exempt companies using the standard tax year end of 31 December 2020, the filing deadline has been extended until 31 August 2021.

  • Tax-exempt companies with an approved tax year end other than 31 December 2020, the deadline for filing has been extended by four months.

Penalties may be imposed on taxpayers that do not comply with the extended deadlines.

Implications

Taxpayers should note and ensure they comply with the new filing and payment deadlines.

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For additional information with respect to this Alert, please contact the following:

EY Consulting LLC, Doha

Ernst & Young LLP (United States), Middle East Tax Desk, New York