GST effect in Gulf countries

GST has brought in a lot of difficulties in different ways. For tax professionals, it was the complexity of the GST that was a problem. But then months of practice helped and now they are not just experts but also in demand in India and abroad. Gulf countries are looking for Indian CAs to help with a value-added tax the goverment proposes to levy from next year. But then VAT may not be as complex as GST. So Indian professionals who have handled the GST are looked upon as experts, and hundreds of them make trips to the UAE for this purpose.

But what has helped tax officials will not help Indian immigrants. A VAT will impact cost of living and bring down job opportunities.

Saudi Arabia will have an expat levy on employers which will encourage them to hire more countrymen and less outsiders. All six Gulf countries are planning to introduce VAT, ending their reputation of being tax havens. This would be a concern for the millions of Indians making a living in Gulf, and those aspiring to go in search of jobs.

Nearly 8 million Indians are in the Gulf countries. This year, 250000 Indians have already moved there in search of jobs.