The Omani Tax Forum was recently launched under the patronage of Nasser bin Khamis Al Jashmi, Chairman of the Tax Authority. The forum, organised by the Tax Authority in cooperation with Ernst & Young, brought together over 300 representatives from major companies in the Sultanate of Oman. Said bin Ahmed Al-Shanfari kicked off the event with a speech on behalf of the Tax Authority, highlighting the importance of community partnerships and the exchange of experiences to enhance the tax system in Oman. The vision and mission of the Tax Authority were also unveiled at the forum.
During the event, three working papers were presented. The first paper, “The Most Important Updates to Tax Practice,” was delivered by Ahmed Al-Aisari from Ernst & Young, who discussed global and regional tax trends, Gulf initiatives, and international commitments. Alkesh Joshi then presented “Main Challenges Regarding Tax Practices in the Sultanate of Oman,” focusing on the Omani tax environment and assessment procedures. The second paper, “Developments in Indirect Taxes and Electronic Invoicing,” was presented by Mtiul Patel and Muzoon Al Jabriya, covering updates in indirect taxes and electronic invoicing. Sarah Al-Harthi also discussed the changing e-invoicing tax landscape.
The third paper, “Transfer Pricing and BEPS 2.0 Rules,” was presented by Guy Taylor and Qasim Talajwala from Ernst & Young. They discussed transfer pricing developments across the Middle East and North Africa, as well as in Oman. Additionally, they reviewed the combating of tax base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS 2.0) as the second pillar, and the developments of the second pillar for GCC countries. The forum concluded with an exchange of views and proposals to enhance tax work using modern systems for implementation in the future.
In his closing remarks, Al Jashmi thanked the attendees for their participation and valuable contributions to the forum. He emphasized the importance of collaboration with the Tax Authority as a key partner in the success of tax work. The forum served as a platform for industry professionals to share insights, exchange knowledge, and discuss ways to improve the tax system in Oman. It highlighted the importance of community partnerships and the exchange of best practices to further develop tax practices in the Sultanate.
Overall, the Omani Tax Forum was a successful event that brought together industry leaders, experts, and government officials to discuss key tax-related topics. The presentations and discussions at the forum provided valuable insights into global and regional tax practices, as well as specific developments in Oman. By promoting collaboration and knowledge-sharing, the forum contributed to the ongoing enhancement of the tax system in Oman. Participants left the event with new ideas and strategies to improve tax practices in their organizations and contribute to the overall development of the tax landscape in the Sultanate.
