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

Zero rating applies to construction Services for new buildings supplied by a Taxable Person and to Goods that the construction-Service provider Supplies during the work when used, installed or incorporated into the building or site as specified. It includes construction, site clearance, a new extension and supervisory engineering or surveying, but excludes demolition, architects' and interior-design fees, restoration, removable Goods and post-completion Supplies.

Who should read this?

Contractors, developers, engineers, Suppliers, project accountants and property owners.

Why does it matter?

One contract can contain zero-rated and differently treated components. Consider timing, permanence and Service type, and apportion mixed consideration at no less than fair Market Value for each part.

New building or extensionPermanently incorporated GoodsFair-value split for mixed contract

Current text

A. The zero rate shall apply to the Supply of construction Services in relation to new buildings carried out by the Taxable Person. Goods Supplied by a Person making a Supply of construction Services, in the course of providing construction Services for a new building, shall also be zero rated. B. For the purposes of applying this Article, a “building” shall mean residential, commercial or industrial buildings, such as a dwelling, offices, factories, workshops, retail stores, multi-storey car parks, power stations, oil refineries, liquefied natural gas stations or oil fields. C. Construction Services in relation to new buildings shall include the following: 1. Construction works, 2. Site clearance Services, 3. A new extension to an existing building. 4. Services provided by engineers and surveyors and similar Services of a supervisory nature. D. Construction of buildings shall not include the following activities: 1. Demolition of existing buildings on the land on which the new building is to be constructed. 2. Architects’ and interior design fees. 3. Restoration works. E. Goods supplied by a Taxable Person as part of the provision of construction Services in relation to a new building shall include those used, installed or incorporated into the building or its location, and shall include: 1. Building materials. 2. Materials necessary to construct specialised raised flooring for computer server rooms. 3. Fixtures and equipment to the extent that such fixtures and equipment are permanently affixed to the building and can not be removed without causing damage to the building or the plant and equipment. 4. Goods supplied to conduct civil engineering works necessary for the development of the building including: a) Sewerage systems. b) Piping. c) Roads and paths necessary for the proper use and enjoyment of the building. d) Car parking for use by the occupants of the building and visitors. 5. Goods supplied to connect the building to a water supply and Telecommunications Services. 6. Photovoltaic cells and related equipment designed to produce electricity and hot water for the building. F. The Supply of Goods provided in the course of construction Services in relation to a new building shall not include the Supply of fixtures and equipment not permanently affixed to the building and which can be removed without damage to the building or fixtures and equipment, including: 1. Furniture that is not affixed to the building. 2. Goods supplied for landscaping purposes. 3. Swimming pools. 4. Decorative lighting. 5. Paintings, murals and other artwork. 6. Carpets. 7. Moveable partitions. G. A Taxable Person who makes Taxable Supplies subject to the zero rate, and other activities subject to a different Tax treatment in the course of executing a particular contract, shall apportion the contract price to determine the price of each of the parts of the contract subject to a different Tax treatment, provided that each part does not fall below the fair Market Value for the Goods or Services supplied. H. The zero rate shall not apply to Goods or Services supplied after the building has been completed.

Split the construction project

  1. 1

    Confirm new building or new extension rather than restoration.

  2. 2

    Identify the construction-Service provider and Goods supplied during work.

  3. 3

    Classify construction, site-clearance and supervisory work.

  4. 4

    Separate demolition, architect, interior-design and restoration work.

  5. 5

    Test permanent attachment and damage on removal.

  6. 6

    Separate furniture, landscaping, pools, decorative lighting, art, carpets and movable partitions.

  7. 7

    Apportion mixed price at no less than fair Market Value.

  8. 8

    Separate Supplies after completion.

Connected provisions

Official guides and tools

Connected Madar tools

Illustrative example by Madar

One BHD 110,000 contract

A contractor builds a new office and Supplies movable furniture: BHD 100,000 for construction and incorporated materials and BHD 10,000 for furniture. Zero rating should not be applied to all BHD 110,000; furniture is removable and each component must not be priced below fair Market Value.

Questions to help you apply it

  • New build or restoration?
  • Is the item permanently fixed?
  • Is the Service included or excluded?
  • Was Supply before completion?
  • Was mixed consideration apportioned at fair Market Value?