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.
Input VAT is blocked for non-business, personal or recreational Goods and Services, including certain hospitality, accommodation, food, events, trips and free personal employee benefits. For vehicles provided to employees, deduction is limited to business use, subject to specified vehicle categories such as rental, emergency, licensed taxis and buses, and vehicles usable only in the Economic Activity.
Expense, HR, fleet, accounting and audit teams.
Payment by the company does not decide deduction. Purpose and actual use do. Mixed-use vehicles usually require an evidenced business-use percentage rather than an automatic full deduction or full block.
Current text
Before deducting entertainment or vehicle VAT
- 1
Identify who benefited and why.
- 2
Distinguish ordinary business provision from recreation or personal benefit.
- 3
Document vehicle business use with a reasonable measure.
- 4
Apply the same test to maintenance, repair and insurance.
- 5
Check specified rental, emergency, taxi, bus and business-only categories.
- 6
Adjust where actual vehicle use differs from the percentage applied.
Connected provisions
Law — Article (42)
Input VAT restrictionsThe Law blocks non-business deduction and this Article details personal, recreational and vehicle use.
Open connected ArticleRegulations — Article (59)
Proportional deductionBoth prevent full deduction, but Article 59 deals with common Inputs across eligible and ineligible Supplies.
Open connected ArticleOfficial guides and tools
Connected Madar tools
Vehicle used for work and family
Where a usage log supports 70% business and 30% personal use, full VAT on purchase, maintenance and insurance should not be assumed. The supported business percentage is reviewed against actual annual use.
Questions to help you apply it
- Is this business or personal benefit?
- What evidences vehicle business use?
- Were related vehicle costs included?
- Does a specified vehicle category apply?