Kuwaiti parliament delays introduction of VAT until 2021

The National Assembly voted on 13 May to defer plans to introduce a value-added tax until 2021, three years after the implementation date originally agreed by all six Gulf Co-operation Council members. To date only Saudi Arabia and the UAE have brought in the 5% levy on goods and services. However, the National Assembly is still expected to push ahead with the introduction of excise duty to be paid by Kuwaitis on tobacco products and sugary drinks later this year.