Key highlights and takeaways from KPMG’s Tax Summit 2026 in Qatar
This month, KPMG hosted its Annual Tax Summit 2026 in Qatar, bringing together finance and tax professionals to explore the latest developments shaping Qatar’s and the region’s tax landscape. A round-up of the highlights and key takeaways.
Hosted at Alwadi Hotel Doha MGallery Collection, the summit served as a forum for discussions on a range of topics, including Global Minimum Tax (GMT), recent updates from the General Tax Authority (GTA), transfer pricing, regional tax developments, anticipated value-added tax, excise tax updates, e-invoicing and the growing role of technology in tax.
Haythem Zayed, Partner at KPMG in Qatar, kicked off the Summit with introductory remarks, outlining the agenda, recent tax developments and updates. He highlighted the current Qatari tax landscape and key tax matters affecting businesses in Qatar in 2026 and beyond.
Yousef Abdel-Aziz, Manager at KPMG, then provided an update on Dhareeba tax portal, recent changes in processes, tax assessments, audits and settlements, as well as navigating withholding tax and the contract reporting process. He addressed a range of practical tax issues currently facing taxpayers in Qatar.
Uma Patankar, Associate Director at KPMG, shares his views on the rapidly evolving transfer pricing reviews in Qatar, providing insights on the GTA’s increasing focus on related party transactions and what these changes mean for all taxpayers. This session also offered guidance to help businesses navigate transfer pricing documentation, reporting and audit readiness.
Oumaima Ben Taher, Manager at KPMG, provided a regional overview of key tax developments across the GCC, including the introduction of Corporate Income Tax in Bahrain, the expansion and practical application of the GCC double tax treaty network, and the rollout of the Global Minimum Tax in the region. She then narrowed the focus to explain the implications of these developments for businesses operating in Qatar.
Nurlan Sadraddinzade, Associate Director at the Big Four firm, provided the audience with insights into anticipated developments regarding value-added tax, the potential introduction of excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, and the General Tax Authority’s (GTA) plans for e-invoicing implementation. He emphasized the critical importance of maintaining high quality VAT data for compliance and accurate reporting, particularly after the go-live dates for VAT and e-invoicing.
Adeeb Shahzad, Director at KPMG (in the UK business), introduced attendees to the importance of tax technology within tax functions. He highlighted is no longer optional and is embedded within tax compliance automation and tax data management processes and further supplemented by data analytics to manage risks in non compliance, offering a glimpse into the future of tax functions.
Finally, Anand Krishnan, Director at KPMG, delivered a detailed analysis of OECD Pillar Two Global Minimum Tax (GMT), covering recent developments, implementation across the GCC, and its impact on businesses, including calculations and reporting obligations. He outlined the expected timeline and key requirements to help organizations prepare for upcoming legislative changes.
The event concluded with an interactive Q&A session, giving business and finance leaders the opportunity to voice their needs and seek guidance on navigating the complexities of the tax landscape in 2026.
