English text status

English translation published by the NBR in its bilingual Regulations file (marked unofficial). The Arabic text published in the Official Gazette remains the legal reference in the event of any discrepancy.

Practical summary

Input VAT may be deducted where it is incurred in the Economic Activity for Supplies granting deduction, including standard- and zero-rated Supplies, Intra-GCC Supplies and certain Supplies outside Bahrain. Valid evidence such as an original Tax Invoice or customs document is required, and deduction cannot be deferred to a period more than five years after the end of the calendar year in which the right arose.

Who should read this?

Purchasers, accountants and Return preparers reviewing expense and Import VAT.

Why does it matter?

Paying VAT does not automatically make it deductible. Business purpose, a Supply granting deduction and valid evidence must all be present, and the right is time-limited.

Business purpose and eligible SupplySupporting documentDeduction time limit

Current text

A. A Taxable Person shall be entitled to deduct Input Tax paid or payable by him in the course of carrying out his Economic Activity for the purposes of making the following Supplies: 1. Taxable Supplies, including Supplies subject to the zero rate. 2. Intra-GCC Supplies. 3. Supplies made outside the Kingdom where the related Tax on expenses would have been deductible had the Supplies been made in the Kingdom. B. A Taxable Person shall retain the following documents: 1. Original Tax Invoices for Goods and Services supplied to him where such Tax Invoices include all the required data in accordance with the provisions of the Law and these Regulations. .) 2. Customs documents relating to imports he has carried out and that prove that he is the Importer of the Goods in accordance with the Customs Law. 3. Tax Invoices issued by the taxable Customer on behalf of the Supplier in accordance with the provisions of these Regulations. 4. Any other commercial documents that evidence that the Taxable Person has paid the Tax due. C. The Taxable Person shall not deduct Input Tax in any Tax Period which falls more than five years after the end of the calendar year during which the right to deduct Input Tax arose. D. The Taxable Person shall not be obliged to adjust Input Tax in the event that Goods supplied to him are lost, damaged or stolen. He shall have to prove the loss, damage or theft through an official record, or prove that the damage is due to the nature of the Goods themselves.

Input VAT deduction test

  1. 1

    Identify the purchase and its actual purpose.

  2. 2

    Link it to a Supply granting deduction.

  3. 3

    Separate personal, exempt or non-business use.

  4. 4

    Retain the original Tax Invoice, customs document or other accepted evidence.

  5. 5

    Record when the right arose and do not exceed the time limit.

  6. 6

    For lost, damaged or stolen Goods, obtain an official record or evidence of inherent deterioration.

Connected provisions

Official guides and tools

Connected Madar tools

Illustrative example by Madar

An invoice exists, but purpose controls

A computer costs BHD 1,100 including BHD 100 VAT. With a valid original invoice and taxable business use, the BHD 100 may be tested for deduction. Personal use by the owner is not deductible merely because the invoice names the business.

Questions to help you apply it

  • What is the actual purpose?
  • Which eligible Supply does it support?
  • Is valid original evidence held?
  • When did the right arise?
  • Is there personal or exempt use?