Abu Dhabi to introduce alcohol tax

Abu Dhabi authorities have decided to introduce a tax on the sale of alcoholic beverages.

The authorities of Abu Dhabi intend to introduce a tax on alcohol sold in stores in the amount of 30%, as well as make the license for its purchase paid.

It is unclear whether this will affect prices in the bars and restaurants of the emirate.

Abu Dhabi Culture and Tourism Authority officials reported a number of changes to the circular adopted in late May.

The changes will take effect in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain on June 15 after the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

Some stores, in preparation for change, offer discounts. It is worth noting that the innovations also involve a fee of 230 dirhams (US $ 63) for two-year licenses allowing non-Muslims to buy alcohol.

Previously, residents could obtain a license to buy alcohol for free if they met the relevant requirements, including those who were at least 21 years old, had a resident card, and their monthly income was not lower than 3 thousand dirhams (US $ 817).

The Department of Culture and Tourism has been charged with raising funds from the new tax and the acquisition of licenses.

On social networks, the expatriates said that before the introduction of the new rules, they would stock up for the future in order to purchase alcoholic beverages at lower prices.

A tax can help offset the decline in revenues from tourism and municipal taxes after they were reduced in the emirate on Tuesday.

Recall that the tourist tax in the capital of the UAE was reduced from 6 to 3.5 percent, and the municipal from 4 to 2 percent.

The committee also approved the proposal to reduce the municipal hotel room fee from 15 dirhams (US $ 4) to 10 dirhams (US $ 2.70), and fees will need to be paid once every six months, and not once a month as before.

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