From 23 to 24 September 2026, the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) represented the United Arab Emirates at the BRICS Tax Experts and Tax Heads Meeting held in New Delhi, India. This high-level engagement underscores the UAE’s growing role in multilateral tax cooperation beyond its traditional Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework commitments. The meeting convened tax authorities from Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and the expanded BRICS membership (including Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE) to discuss pressing international tax challenges, including the implementation of the Two-Pillar Solution, tax administration digitalization, capacity building, and the development of a BRICS-specific tax cooperation framework. The UAE’s participation reflects its strategic objective to diversify international tax partnerships and contribute to shaping emerging global tax norms in line with its domestic reforms, such as the introduction of Corporate Tax (Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022) and the Pillar Two Top-up Tax (Federal Decree-Law No. 60 of 2023).
Key Takeaways
- Multilateral Tax Dialogue Expansion: The UAE’s active involvement in the BRICS tax forum signals a broadening of its international tax diplomacy, complementing its OECD Inclusive Framework membership and enabling direct input into alternative multilateral tax initiatives that may influence developing economy perspectives on digital taxation and taxing rights allocation.
- Focus on Digitalization and Capacity Building: Discussions emphasized leveraging technology for tax administration efficiency, with the UAE showcasing its EmaraTax platform as a regional benchmark. The meeting explored joint initiatives for taxpayer education, audit analytics, and cross-border data exchange frameworks compatible with global standards like the Common Reporting Standard (CRS) and Country-by-Country Reporting (CbCR).
- Alignment of Domestic Reforms with Global Standards: The FTA reiterated the UAE’s commitment to implementing the OECD/G20 Two-Pillar Solution, including the recently enacted Domestic Minimum Top-up Tax, while advocating for the consideration of developing economy concerns in the ongoing work on Amount B of Pillar One and the Subject to Tax Rule (STTR).
Disclaimer: This article is compiled and summarized by the AI based on publicly available information and is for general information purposes only. It does not constitute any form of formal tax advice, legal opinion, or basis for performance. Please consult a qualified professional tax advisor or legal counsel for tax advice.
Source: Read Official Announcement