Dubai tightens rules on expat housing tax

Rules are being tightened in Dubai to make sure that expats pay housing fees by the end of June next year in a crackdown aimed at reducing the numbers not being billed for the tax.

Dubai Municipality said that it is going to be more efficient in terms of sending out bills and tracing people as well as chasing non payers.

Authorities said around up to 60% of residents in Dubai currently pay the monthly fee, but said it will not backdate payments for those who have, to date, escaped the charge.

According to Addullah Hashin Abdulghafoor, fees and revenues officer at Dubai’s housing fee department the new rules should be in place by June 2012.

Source: ExpatForum.com