Sohar Islamic Bank SAOG has implemented changes relating to Value Added Tax (VAT) in Oman in accordance with Royal Decree-Law No. 121/2020 on Value Added Tax (‘Decree Law’) and Executive Regulations Resolution No.53/2021 dated 10th March 2021 on Value Added Tax effective on 16th April 2021.

Details of Sohar Islamic Bank’s VAT registration number is as follows:

Legal Entity:

Sohar International Bank SAOG

VAT Identification Number (VATIN):

OM110000378X.

The following are the frequently asked questions (“FAQs”) in relation to VAT. Sohar Islamic Bank will continue updating its website with new developments relating to the introduction of VAT in Oman. In the meantime, for further information please visit the websites of Oman Tax Authority. It contains information and guidance on the Decree-Law, the Executive Regulations, as well as some FAQ’s on the introduction of VAT. The latest announcements and information available will first be published on the sites below:

General Overview

What is VAT?

VAT is a transaction based indirect tax, and commonly referred to as a type of general consumption tax. In a country which has a VAT system, it is imposed on most supplies of goods and services that are bought and sold. VAT is charged at each step of the ‘supply chain’. Ultimately, end-consumers generally bear the VAT cost while registered businesses collect and account for the tax, in a way acting as a tax collector on behalf of the government.

What is the rate of VAT?

There are two VAT rates applicable within Oman:

  • the standard rate of VAT – 5%; and
  • the zero rate of VAT – 0%.

In addition, a certain category of supplies will be “exempt” from VAT.

How is VAT added to goods and services?

VAT is charged on the value of goods and services. When adding VAT to the price of goods or services, the registered business should multiply the amount by the applicable VAT rate (e.g. 5%).

If the price already includes VAT, divide the price by 21 (for the 5% VAT rate) to find out the VAT amount. Subtracting this amount from the VAT-inclusive price, will give the VAT-exclusive value of the supply.

Is Sohar Islamic Bank required to charge VAT?

Yes. Sohar Islamic, a VAT registered business, is required to charge and collect VAT on its taxable supplies of goods and services made in Oman. The VAT charged will then be remitted to Oman Tax Authority.

Are services rendered by Sohar Islamic subject to VAT?

A supply of financial products/services by Sohar Islamic conducted in return for an explicit fee, charge, discount, commission, or similar shall be subject to VAT. However, supplies of other financial services if remunerated by way of an implicit margin (such as interest & profit) shall not be subject to VAT as these qualify to be treated as exempt supplies. Similarly, VAT would be applicable under an Islamic financial arrangement to give an outcome comparable to that which would be the case for their non-Islamic counterparts.

Where services are supplied to a recipient that does not have a place of residence in Oman, and who is outside the states at the time services are performed, these supplies may be zero-rated.

Will the Branches of Sohar Islamic all have separate VAT Registration Numbers?

Sohar International Bank has one VAT Registration Number, which applies to all branches in Oman. Kindly refer to the above section for our VAT Registration Number.

When I repay an amount borrowed from the Bank (for example a loan or an amount on credit card), will I be required to pay VAT in addition to the amount borrowed?

The repayment of the principal amount borrowed from the bank will not constitute consideration for a supply and hence will fall outside the scope of VAT. This means that VAT would not be payable in addition to the principal amount borrowed. If additional services are rendered as part of the transaction (for example administration fees) these may be subject to VAT.

Accounts

Is VAT applicable on withdrawals made from Current, Deposit or Savings Accounts?

Any deposits into or withdrawals from current, deposit or savings accounts shall not be subject to VAT. However, if there a service charge or fee imposed by the Bank, then these services shall subject to VAT.

Will I be notified of the fees and charges that are subject to VAT prior to the transaction? For example, in ATM, branches or online banking, etc.

No. However, for further details of fees and charges you may refer to the Service and Tariff Guides published in the Bank’s website.

Will the VAT treatment change for transactions performed via different channels?

No, the VAT treatment for a fee should be similar irrespective of the channel.

How will Sohar Islamic apply VAT on its charges?

Taxable goods and services are charged VAT at the rate of 5%. The frequency of VAT entries shall correspond with the frequency of bank charges. Where, for example, a fee is being imposed on a monthly basis, VAT will be imposed on a monthly basis as well. For other fees, such as credit card fees, VAT will be charged as a separate entry for each transaction where it is applicable.

Will VAT charges be refunded if my transaction is cancelled or unsuccessful?

If a taxable fee or charge is cancelled and/or unsuccessful, the corresponding VAT amount paid by the client shall also be refunded. Kindly note that there could be a processing or administrative fee associated with the cancellation which could be subject to VAT.

Client requests for issuance of cheque book at the branch, where Sohar Islamic levies fees for issuance. How will be VAT computed?

Taxable goods and services are subject to VAT at the rate of 5%. Say, for example, if Sohar Islamic levies a VAT- exclusive fee of 2 OMR for 25 leave cheque book, VAT on this service fee would be 2 OMR * 5% = 0.100 OMR. Total amount payable to Sohar Islamic inclusive of VAT would be 2 OMR + 0.100 OMR= 2.100 OMR.

Can Sohar Islamic waive the VAT amount payable by me?

The imposition of VAT is governed by the VAT Decree-Law, and it’s Executive Regulations. Banks are not allowed to waive the imposition of VAT payable in respect of taxable supplies provided to its clients.

Remittances

Is VAT applicable for all local payments made and / or received (e.g. telegraphic transfers & Online Banking)?

Supply of financial products/services by Sohar Islamic conducted in return for an explicit fee, charge, discount, commission, or similar shall be subject to VAT. Where Sohar Islamic levies explicit fees for Outward/ Inward Remittance Advice Requests, standard rate of VAT would be applicable.

How will VAT be charged where I have paid fees in a foreign currency?

Where fees are paid in a foreign currency, the VAT amount payable to Sohar Islamic would be in foreign currency.

Based on the VAT legislation, when issuing tax invoice to the client, Sohar Islamic is required to convert foreign currency to local currency (OMR) based on the rates prescribed by the Central Bank of Oman.

How is foreign currency exchange transactions treated from a VAT perspective?

Foreign currency exchange is typically on an implicit margin basis and would be exempt from VAT. Any service fees relating to the foreign currency exchange will however be subject to VAT.

If VAT is reversed on a fee paid in a foreign currency, which exchange rate will be used to reverse the VAT amount?

Where a reversal of a transaction is applied, the original exchange rate shall be used for reversal of the VAT amount.

Transitional period

Are supplies / services performed before 16 April 2021 subject to VAT?

No VAT shall be due on supplies of goods and/or services which have been completed before 16 April 2021. Where, however, the supply continues before 16 April 2021 and after, VAT may be payable on the portion of the service rendered after 16 April 2021.

I am a Sohar Islamic corporate client and have paid a commission on Trade guarantee issuance on 01 January 2021. Will Sohar Islamic impose VAT on guarantee issuance commission?

The VAT legislation prescribes that commission on issuance of trade guarantees shall be subject to 5% Oman VAT. Commission on Trade Guarantee issuance is charged by banks to their clients to cover the continuous risk during the lifetime of this product and therefore, are in scope of the transitional rules.

Therefore, where payments are received before 16 April 2021, but effectively relate to services after 16 April 2021, VAT may be payable on the portion of the service received after 16 April 2021 (if any). Therefore, Sohar Islamic will be required to raise an additional invoice for VAT on fees paid before 16 April 2021 but which relate to services also performed after 16 April 2021.

Statements & Tax Invoices

Will I receive a tax invoice from Sohar Islamic?

Where you are a corporate client of the Bank, or an individual client you will receive a tax invoice from Sohar Islamic within 14 days after the end of each calendar month. Where you would like to receive a separate tax invoice, kindly send a request to VATINFO@soharinternational.com and we shall send you your tax invoice accordingly.

For the avoidance of doubt, clients will continue to receive their monthly bank statements.

What is the purpose of a valid tax invoice?

A valid tax invoice is a document that will serve as evidence for an input tax claim by a VAT Registrant from Oman Tax Authority.

It should contain all information as prescribed by the VAT-Decree Law and the VAT Executive Regulations, such as (but not limited to) a supplier’s VAT Identification Number (VATIN), the client’s VAT Identification Number (VATIN) (if applicable), the appropriate VAT rates and the amount of VAT payable by the client.

If you are registered for VAT with the OTA and you have not provided us with your VAT Identification Number (VATIN), please immediately send the following to VATINFO@soharinternational.com so that we can include your VATIN on all future tax invoices:

  • You’re VATIN along with a copy of the VAT Registration Certificate
  • Your Sohar Islamic Account Number (if not available, please provide us your most recent transaction reference);
  • Legal Name of the entity to which you are registered at Sohar International Bank.
How will Sohar Islamic provide me with a Tax Invoice for VAT on its fees and charges?

Tax invoices shall be provided to our clients either in hard copy or electronically.

What is a Tax Credit Note? And how often will Sohar Islamic issue this?

A tax credit note is issued only when where the value of a supply of an original charge that was subject to VAT has reduced or cancelled. The frequency of reversal of VAT entries shall correspond with the frequency of reversal of charges.

Custody

What is the VAT treatment of safe keeping and custodial services?

Financial services conducted in return for a fee, commission, discount, and rebate or similar shall be subject to VAT. As a vast majority of services provided by our Custody department such as Safe Keeping Fees, Portfolio Fees, Trade settlement fees, Transaction fees etc. is fee or commission based, VAT would be applicable.

Cash Management

How is VAT charged on Cash management products and services?

Products offered by our Cash division follow the same rules for financial services as our other products. In general, all fees and commissions such as Domestic transfers RTGS and Cashier Order charged by the Bank shall be subject to VAT. However, if you are established outside Oman, VAT may not apply as the services are likely to be treated as “exported” from a VAT perspective meaning it qualifies for a zero-rated treatment.

Trade

Are Trade Finance products subject to VAT?

Generally, all fees and commissions charged for trade finance products and services such as Trade structuring fees, facility fees, commission on issuance of guarantees etc. are subject to 5% VAT. Exported services, however, will be subject to 0% VAT (‘zero-rated’). The interest / profit charged on the financing of the trade finance product and services are VAT exempt.

I am a business established outside Oman, acquiring services from the trade division of Sohar Islamic, would I need to pay VAT in Oman on the services I am acquiring?

Where Sohar Islamic is providing services to clients established outside Oman, then these services may qualify for zero rated treatment and will not attract any VAT.

Financial Markets

Will VAT be applicable on Derivatives, Foreign Currency Exchange or Swaps?

VAT should only be applicable on financial services where these are conducted against an explicit fee or commission. Where financial services are conducted on an implicit margin, interest- or spread-basis, and these services should be treated as VAT Exempt.

With Derivatives, Foreign Currency Exchange services or the provision of Swaps typically the latter is the case and, as such, no VAT should be applicable on these products. However, where there is an administration / processing type fee associated with one these products, which are both examples of explicit fees, VAT would be applicable on the fees charged.

Islamic Finance Financial Markets Transactions shall be treated in parity with conventional Financial Markets transactions.

Islamic Finance

What is the VAT treatment for Islamic banking products?

Islamic banking products are subject to the same VAT treatment as conventional products in order to ensure tax neutrality. Where, in example, a service charge or fee (including Wakalah fee) is being charged to the client, it shall be subject to VAT.

Other Information

Whom should the client contact in case of any query related to VAT?

In case of any queries, please send your queries to VATINFO@soharinternational.com or your usual points of contact. For further information, please visit the website of Oman Tax Authority https://tms.taxoman.gov.om

Sohar Islamic will continue updating its website (https://www.soharislamic.com/) with new developments relating to the introduction of VAT in Oman.

The above Frequently Asked Questions are for general reference only and shall not be capable of creating any contractual commitment on the part of the Bank. While every reasonable care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this document, the Bank does not accept any responsibility or liability (whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise) for any loss, damage and liability arising out of, or in connection with, any use or reliance placed upon this document.

Further, these FAQs do not purport to constitute tax advice and should be used as a guide only. For all updated pricing of our fees and products, please refer to our Service and tariff Guides.