Strategic legal counsel for a luxury real estate developer on transitional VAT liabilities for off-plan property sales spanning the implementation of tax laws, advising on the timing of supply and the application of standard rates versus exemptions.
Advisory mandate regarding the tax implications of reclassifying hotel apartments as residential units, assessing the impact of licensing status, contractual terms, and Dubai Land Department regulations on VAT liability.
Cassation proceedings before the Federal Supreme Court challenging the retroactive revocation of VAT refunds and administrative penalties arising from the Tax Authority?s contradictory instructions regarding residential property transfers.
Reconsideration application before the Federal Tax Authority for a UAE national oil company challenging VAT assessments on storage tank rentals, arguing for ‘out-of-scope’ classification as real estate supplies within a Designated Zone.
Tax dispute resolution for an energy major contesting the reclassification of fixed storage tank leases as taxable ‘services’, asserting they constitute ‘goods’ (real estate) under Executive Regulations and qualify for zero-rating as transport-related services.
Strategic tax dispute resolution for a Fujairah oil terminal operator contesting the Authority?s refusal to apply a binding specific clarification retrospectively to cancel historical tax liabilities and associated administrative fines.
Federal Supreme Court proceedings under UAE VAT legislation between an international engineering joint venture and the Federal Tax Authority regarding the non-retroactive application of VAT to construction milestones achieved prior to 2018.
Litigation challenging a tax assessment on AED 29.6 million in advance payments for a major infrastructure project, arguing that the ‘taxable event’ occurred upon service performance in 2017 rather than the contract date.
Judicial review proceedings before the Abu Dhabi Federal Court contesting the imposition of VAT and penalties on pre-implementation construction services, seeking the appointment of an engineering expert to verify the timing of supply.
Advising a European private client on the strategic termination of a construction contract with a regional fit-out contractor, invoking contractual clauses to expel the contractor for persistent non-compliance and critical defects under UAE law.
