How the Best Tax Expert Can Navigate Evolving Fiscal Landscapes

The fiscal landscape in Saudi Arabia has undergone a seismic shift over the past decade. As the Kingdom transitions away from oil dependence and embraces economic diversification under Vision 2030, new tax regimes have been introduced to stabilize revenues and modernize the financial ecosystem. Chief among them is the Value-Added Tax (VAT), introduced in 2018 and later increased to 15% in 2020.

While VAT implementation marked a major milestone, it is only the beginning of Saudi Arabia's journey into indirect taxation. Excise tax, customs duties, real estate transaction tax (RETT), and upcoming digital economy levies are expanding the country's indirect tax portfolio. Navigating these changes requires more than just compliance—it demands strategy, foresight, and expert guidance.

This is where working with the best tax expert becomes essential. Businesses that aim to thrive—not just survive—in this evolving environment must go beyond VAT and adopt a holistic indirect tax advisory approach.

Understanding Indirect Tax in Saudi Arabia

Indirect taxes are levies imposed on goods and services rather than income or profits. These include:

  • Value-Added Tax (VAT): 15% standard rate on most goods/services
  • Excise Tax: Applied to harmful goods (e.g., tobacco, energy drinks)
  • Customs Duties: Collected on imported goods
  • Real Estate Transaction Tax (RETT): 5% on property sales
  • Digital Taxes (future): Expected for foreign digital service providers



Unlike direct taxes, indirect taxes impact pricing, supply chains, consumer behavior, and compliance operations across an entire business. Properly managing them requires a multi-disciplinary approach—covering finance, legal, logistics, and IT systems.

The Rise of Strategic Indirect Tax Advisory

Initially, most businesses in Saudi Arabia approached VAT as a box-ticking compliance issue. However, with increasing audits, penalty risks, and complexity in cross-border transactions, the narrative is shifting. Companies now understand that they need long-term advisory—not just implementation services.

Here's where the best tax expert makes a difference. Top advisors help organizations:

  • Align tax structures with business models
  • Identify risks and opportunities in supply chains
  • Automate and integrate indirect tax reporting
  • Develop governance and control frameworks
  • Optimize cash flows through input VAT recovery strategies



This level of strategic advisory is crucial for companies operating in sectors like real estate, retail, manufacturing, logistics, and digital services.

Beyond VAT: Indirect Taxes You Must Understand

1. Excise Tax

Saudi Arabia imposes excise tax on selected products to promote healthier lifestyles and generate revenue. Current excise rates include:

  • 100% on tobacco and energy drinks
  • 50% on soft drinks and sugary beverages



For manufacturers, importers, and distributors, excise tax compliance requires:

  • Accurate product classification
  • Registration with ZATCA (Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority)
  • Digital tax stamp implementation
  • Real-time inventory and transactional reporting



The best tax expert can help structure operations to manage excise exposure, minimize errors, and avoid non-compliance penalties.

2. Customs Duties

As part of the GCC Customs Union, Saudi Arabia levies duties on thousands of imported items. Tariff classification errors, valuation disputes, or rules-of-origin issues can result in significant delays and financial liabilities.

Indirect tax advisors support companies in:

  • Optimizing customs duty through Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)
  • Developing compliant transfer pricing documentation
  • Designing duty deferral or exemption strategies
  • Managing bonded warehouses and in-country value (ICV) requirements



This area is especially important for supply chain-heavy industries such as automotive, construction, and FMCG.

3. Real Estate Transaction Tax (RETT)

RETT replaced VAT on property transactions in 2020, imposing a 5% levy on most real estate sales. However, exemptions exist for first-time homebuyers and strategic housing developments.

Real estate developers, investors, and brokers require advisory services to:

  • Structure tax-efficient transactions
  • Assess RETT liability and exemptions
  • Manage input VAT vs. RETT where mixed-use assets are involved
  • Document property valuations for audit readiness



The best tax expert ensures compliance while maximizing investment returns through effective structuring.

Challenges in Saudi Indirect Tax Compliance

Saudi Arabia has significantly increased enforcement under ZATCA, with audits, e-invoicing mandates, and real-time reporting requirements. Common challenges businesses face include:

  • Discrepancies in tax coding in ERP systems
  • Inaccurate product/service classification
  • Lack of VAT knowledge in procurement and sales teams
  • Errors in filing periodic returns
  • Failure to update pricing and contracts in line with tax law



To overcome these challenges, top businesses are now engaging the best tax experts to conduct diagnostic reviews, design compliance programs, and train staff across departments.

The Strategic Value of Indirect Tax Planning

Beyond compliance, a strategic approach to indirect tax can lead to:

  • Cash flow optimization through efficient VAT input recovery
  • Profit margin protection by managing tax costs in pricing strategies
  • Improved supply chain agility with tax-efficient routing
  • Regulatory resilience by anticipating future reforms
  • Enhanced digital compliance via automated e-invoicing systems



For example, a logistics company working with a tax expert was able to reclaim over SAR 3 million in underutilized input VAT by restructuring its billing processes and updating its chart of accounts.

Digitalization and the Future of Tax in Saudi Arabia

ZATCA is at the forefront of tax digitalization in the region. The mandatory e-invoicing (FATOORA) initiative requires:

  • Real-time integration of billing systems with ZATCA platforms
  • QR code generation for B2C invoices
  • XML-format invoices for B2B transactions
  • Digital archiving and audit readiness



Future reforms are expected to include:

  • Digital service taxes on cross-border SaaS and content platforms
  • Carbon taxes or environmental levies under ESG frameworks
  • Sector-specific VAT exemptions or zero-rating for exports and financial services



The best tax expert not only ensures current compliance but prepares businesses for these future changes—aligning tax strategy with digital transformation goals.

How to Choose the Best Tax Expert for Indirect Tax Advisory

Not all advisors offer the same level of insight. The best tax expert for indirect tax in Saudi Arabia should provide:

✅ Deep knowledge of ZATCA rules and GCC tax frameworks

✅ Cross-industry experience in logistics, retail, real estate, and digital

✅ Technical expertise in ERP integration and e-invoicing

✅ Proven track record with audits, appeals, and dispute resolution

✅ Strategic planning beyond day-to-day compliance

Whether you're a multinational enterprise or a high-growth local firm, investing in the right tax advisor can protect your business and unlock financial value.

Conclusion

VAT was just the beginning. As Saudi Arabia builds a more diversified and transparent economy, indirect tax will become a key lever of policy and business planning. The companies that thrive in this environment are those that treat tax not as a cost—but as a strategy.

By engaging the best tax expert, businesses can move beyond reactive compliance and toward proactive, value-driven tax management. From VAT and RETT to excise and digital levies, expert guidance is not just helpful—it's essential.

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