The United Arab Emirates will adopt the OECD’s CARF framework: rollout in 2027, tax data exchange from 2028.
By signing the Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement for the automatic exchange of information under the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF), the UAE is strengthening the alignment of its digital asset policies with international tax standards.
The UAE Ministry of Finance has formalized the country’s accession to this multilateral agreement, confirming its commitment to implementing the OECD’s global regime for digital asset reporting.
The Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework is a mechanism for the automatic exchange of tax information related to cryptocurrency activities among participating jurisdictions. This initiative reinforces international cooperation on transparency and tax compliance in the digital asset sector.
According to the Ministry’s announcement, the UAE will implement the framework in 2027, with the first exchange of tax information scheduled for early 2028. It is worth noting that the UAE’s signing of the CARF does not imply the introduction of local taxation on crypto gains.
Public consultation for implementation
To properly prepare for implementation, the UAE has launched a public consultation aimed at gathering feedback from key industry stakeholders, including exchanges, custodians, traders, and consulting firms specializing in Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies.
The consultation, which began on September 15 and will run until November 8, gives market participants the opportunity to contribute to shaping the operational aspects of the new tax reporting system.
With this move, the UAE joins a coalition of 50 jurisdictions committed to implementing CARF in the coming years. Countries that have already pledged adoption include New Zealand, Australia, and the Netherlands. Switzerland has also taken steps in this direction: on June 6, the Swiss government adopted legislation enabling the automatic exchange of crypto tax data with 74 partner countries, mainly G20 members.
