The UAE Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has officially launched the first phase of its "Tax Clinic" initiative, which seeks to maintain direct and constant communication with taxable businesses.

For three months, the campaign will cover all seven emirates to raise tax awareness across the country, urging taxable businesses to register with the FTA and promoting compliance with Tax Return requirements and the timely payment of due taxes, reported state news agency Wam.

The Phase One was held in the emirate for three days at the headquarters of Ras Al Khaimah’s Department of Economic Development (RAK-DED) and Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (Rakez).

"Tax Clinic" campaign is being organised as a collaboration between the Federal Tax Authority and the departments of economic development and municipalities in all emirates.

Two teams of analysts and specialists from the FTA’s Registration, Tax Returns and Taxpayers Services will go on an extensive tour, which includes several meetings and an interactive seminar in each individual emirate, with taxable businesses that have not yet registered in the tax system or that have fallen behind on submitting their Tax Returns and settling their due taxes – particularly, small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

The sessions introduced attendees to the procedures, reassuring them that registration for taxes, submitting Tax Returns and paying due taxes can all be completed – by the taxpayer or an authorised Tax Agent – easily and in a matter of minutes through the e-Services portal on the FTA’s official website.

According to FTA, these meetings are being organised in coordination with the departments of economic development and municipalities to help increase awareness among all stakeholders, mainly taxable businesses, and also maintain the utmost transparency and accuracy of information, and effectively address public enquiries to promote compliance with tax laws and prevent violations.

The FTA pointed out that in order to expand the scope of beneficiaries of these seminars, the Authority broadcast the meetings live via social media channels.