Value added tax to increase cost of real estate investors, says report

Muscat: A survey of local investment professionals across the GCC region reveals that real estate is likely to become a costlier investment following the January 2018 implementation of a value-added tax (VAT). The survey assessed the views of CFA society members in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait. With the VAT set to be applied to the first sale of properties, 87 per cent of investment professionals said that some or all of the additional expenses incurred by real estate firms will be passed on to investors.
Other findings showed that over half (54 per cent) of CFA Society members surveyed believe that retail investors will be impacted, more than institutional investors, from the rollout of the VAT, with only 4 percent stating that institutional investors would face greater impacts. Additionally, a majority of the investment professionals surveyed indicated that their international business partners are not being deterred by the introduction of the VAT, with only 18 per cent saying that the tax is creating a negative reaction from them.
“The concerns regarding VAT in the region are largely one of perception, rather than policy. While it is true that certain areas of the economy will witness marginally higher costs being incurred, this should not deter regional and international investors in a significant way. Additionally, with the government revenue this will generate, liquidity levels in the market are expected to improve; which should increase investor confidence and appetite,” said Amer Khansaheb, CFA, President of CFA Society Emirates.
“In the eyes of investors, creating a more regulated environment with greater financial transparency should be a positive development, since this is the model in developed economies. Given that taxation at higher rates is a norm around the world, the GCC will continue to be attractive, as average tax rates are lower than almost all other major markets. With regional financial markets expanding, the potential MSCI inclusion for Saudi Arabia, investment in commercial infrastructure and economic diversification programmes underway, the GCC will continue to remain a market of opportunity for the investment community,” he added.
Respondents also indicated that their companies are either in the process of getting ready (37 per cent) or unprepared (25 per cent) for VAT implementation in January 2018; with 22 per cent saying that their firm has made adequate preparations for implementation of the VAT.
The survey was conducted online from September 19 to October 7, 2017. Participants included 140 CFA members of CFA Societies in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait.