The General Authority of Zakat and Tax (Gazt) in Saudi Arabia has urged consumers to use the VAT app when purchasing goods and services, ahead of the uptick in shopping activity during the holy month of Ramadan.

The use of the application during shopping will help Gazt verify businesses that are registered in VAT, and in turn assist in reporting cases of tax fraud, said a statement from the authority.

The application has been downloaded 1.4 million times to date through the Apple Store and Google Play, it said.

The application enables customers to easily verify a VAT-registered business by simply taking a photo of the QR Code on the VAT certificate, or entering the commercial registration or the 15-digit tax identification number on the invoice, it added.

The application also enables users to quickly calculate the VAT amount due on goods and services purchases, said a statement.

Gazt also reminded consumers to make sure they receive approved standard VAT invoices upon making purchases from a VAT-registered business, which must mention the tax amount, tax identification number, and which items are subject to the standard 5 per cent rate or are zero-rated.

Consumers may also raise inquiries or report fraud through Gazt’s hotline (19993) during Ramadan over two shifts, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and from 8:00 pm to 2:00 pm, seven days a week, it stated. – TradeArabia News Service