General Tax Authority President
His Excellency Mr. Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Kuwari
H.E. Mr. Khalifa Jassim Al-Kuwari served as the Director of the Qatar Fund for Development, where he spearheaded the State of Qatar’s efforts in foreign aid and international development. In this capacity, he facilitated the distribution of loans and grants to both developing nations and international organizations. Since 2014, he led the establishment, strategy-setting, operationalization, partnerships, and funding programs of the Qatar Fund for Development in various developing countries.
Previously, H.E. Mr. Al-Kuwari was the Chief Operating Officer of the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), where he oversaw the entire business support infrastructure and led several initiatives to improve the performance of support functions. Prior to that, H.E. Mr. Al-Kuwari was the QIA Executive Director of Joint Venture and International Business, where he managed the investment joint ventures and government-to-government relations. H.E. has been appointed to the boards of leading companies and institutions such as Harrods, Volkswagen Group, Fairmont Raffles Group, Songbird Real Estate, Qatar Exchange, Katara Hospitality, and Mowasalat. He was also appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Islamic Bank of Britain, and Qatar and Algeria Investment. Additionally, H.E. is the head of the Audit Committee and a member of the Board of Directors at Qatar Mining Company.
H.E. is also interested in social work within the State of Qatar and was elected to the Board of Directors of Qatar Foundation for Social Work, which includes social institutions such as Nama, Ehsan, Shafallah, Dreama, Wifaq, and Aman. H.E. Mr. Khalifa Jassim Al-Kuwari serves as the Chairman of the Qatar Academy for Science and Technology (QAST) Board of Advisors and holds membership on the Advisory Board at the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies, and he is the Vice President of the Qatar University Alumni Association. H.E. Mr. Al Kuwari also served as the president of the first Qatar Leadership Centre Alumni Association Council.
H.E. Mr. Al-Kuwari started his career as an accountant and investment manager and handled various responsibilities at the Qatar Central Bank and Public Works (Ashghal) & Urban Planning Authority. He acquired in-depth experience in accounting, auditing, financial analysis, and investment management.
His Excellency Mr. Al-Kuwari holds an Executive MBA in Business Administration from the London Business School in UK, an MBA in Accounting from Cleveland State University in the USA and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Qatar University. He graduated from the Leadership Development Program at Harvard Business School in the USA and Qatar Leadership Center. Mr. Al-Kuwari also passed the Chartered Accountants' Examination in Ohio, USA.
Mission
Endorse a culture of voluntary compliance
Drive an efficient tax policy that serves all stakeholders
Leverage innovation and technology to achieve operational excellence
Values
Integrity
Achieving transparency in financial disclosures and investing tax revenues in supporting service and developmental projects that improve society’s living standard
Partnership
Establishing a close cooperation with the different social and economic segments in order to build a solid relationship based on mutual trust
Excellence
Applying the best international practices in taxation and supporting the State’s economic and social objectives, without compromising the living conditions of citizens and residents
About the Authority
The General Tax Authority (GTA) was established by Emiri Decree No. 77 of 2018, with the specific mandate to enforce tax laws, implement tax-related regulations, review and evaluate tax returns, and collect due taxes from taxpayers.
The GTA is the official representative of the State of Qatar in the relevant regional and international organisations and assemblies. In its capacity, the GTA also enters tax treaties with countries worldwide to strengthen economic ties and promote mutual investments.
The cornerstone of the GTA's strategic plan centers on collecting taxes in compliance with applicable laws and regulations while ensuring efficient administrative cost management and enhancing tax services to meet the highest compliance standards.
In executing its strategic plan, the GTA is committed to crafting a resilient tax ecosystem that supports sustainable national development and aligns with international best practices while catalysing economic growth and ensuring fiscal stability. The GTA further seeks to promote a culture of voluntary compliance, anchored by an effective tax policy that caters to all stakeholders' interests and delivers exceptional tax services, leveraging cutting-edge digital solutions and technologies.
Authority's Jurisdictions
Emiri Decree No. 77 of 2018 defines the powers and tasks of the General Tax Authority as follows:
- Implementing the provisions of laws, regulations and decisions related to taxes.
- Proposing legislative tools and policies related to taxes and expressing opinions pertaining to them.
- Preparing all studies, research and reports related to taxes and relevant statistics, in coordination with the competent authorities.
- Listing of taxpayers, receiving tax returns from them, and inspecting them.
- Assessment and collection of taxes and related financial penalties, in accordance with applicable tax laws, regulations and decisions.
- Preparing draft agreements and memorandums of understanding related to taxes and identifying their implications.
- Implementing the provisions of tax agreements to which the State is a party, in coordination with the competent authorities, and evaluating their consequences.
- Examining taxpayers' objections to tax assessment decisions and notifying them of the decisions in this regard.
- Combating tax crimes and taking all necessary measures in accordance with the provisions of the law, in cooperation with the competent authorities.
- Developing and providing all relevant electronic (digital) tax services to facilitate taxpayers’ procedures.
- Work on promoting a healthy tax culture and voluntary compliance amongst taxpayers.
- Follow systems and procedures that reduce administrative costs and facilitate tax compliance.
- Representing the State in regional and international conferences and meetings in the tax field, in coordination with the competent authorities.
Organizational Structure
- President of the general tax authority
- legal affairs department
- President's office
- internal audit department
- Assistant President for Tax Affairs
- Assistant President's Office Manager
- Tax Treaties & International Cooperation Department
- Tax Policies Department
- Income Tax Department
- Consumption Taxes Department
- Tax Revenues Department
- Taxpayers Service Department
- Assistant President for Support Services
- Assistant President's Office Manager
- Planning & Quality Department
- Public Relations & Communication
- Department
- Human Resources Department
- Financial & Administrative Affairs Department
- Information Technology Department
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