The UAE BRICS tax talks have brought together tax authorities from 10 BRICS administrations in New Delhi to discuss technology, tax administration, human resources and international cooperation.
The UAE Federal Tax Authority (FTA) participated in the BRICS Tax Experts and Tax Heads Meeting 2026, hosted by India’s Central Board of Direct Taxes under the Ministry of Finance.
The meeting provided an opportunity for participating tax authorities to exchange experiences, discuss emerging challenges and explore ways to develop more efficient tax systems.
The UAE’s participation also builds on its previous involvement in BRICS tax cooperation and its wider efforts to exchange expertise on digital transformation and modern tax administration. The FTA has previously highlighted digital transformation, data use and international cooperation as important areas of tax-administration development.
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What Are the UAE BRICS Tax Talks About?
The 2026 meeting focused on how tax administrations can respond to technological and economic changes while improving their systems and services.
The discussions covered several major areas, including:
- Tax administration
- Technology and digital transformation
- Human resources
- Knowledge sharing
- International cooperation
- Emerging challenges facing tax authorities
According to the FTA, cooperation between tax administrations allows countries to learn from different approaches and exchange practical experience.
The wider BRICS tax cooperation framework also provides a platform for sharing knowledge, working-group activities and capacity-building initiatives among participating tax authorities.
1. UAE Participates Alongside 10 BRICS Tax Administrations
The New Delhi meeting brought together representatives from 10 BRICS tax administrations.
The participating administrations were from:
- Brazil
- China
- Egypt
- Ethiopia
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Russia
- South Africa
- United Arab Emirates
The meeting was hosted by India’s Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) under the Ministry of Finance.
For the UAE, the meeting provided another opportunity to engage with tax authorities from major emerging economies and exchange experiences in tax administration.
The UAE delegation was headed by Abdulaziz Al Mulla, Director General of the Federal Tax Authority. It also included FTA officials involved in policy and international relations.
2. Technology Is a Major Focus
Technology was one of the main subjects discussed during the meeting.
Tax authorities are increasingly using digital systems and data to manage tax services, communicate with taxpayers and improve administrative processes.
The UAE has been developing digital approaches within its tax administration. The FTA has previously discussed the use of advanced digital solutions and technology to support tax administration and improve the taxpayer experience.
The BRICS tax cooperation framework has also previously highlighted areas such as big-data use, VAT administration and digital approaches to improving public services.
For tax administrations, the challenge is to use technology while maintaining accurate information, effective compliance systems and accessible taxpayer services.
3. Human Resources Are Part of Tax Modernisation
The discussions did not focus only on technology.
Human resources were another important area of the meeting.
Modern tax systems require employees with skills in areas such as:
- Data analysis
- Digital systems
- Tax policy
- International taxation
- Customer service
- Technology management
Training and knowledge exchange can help tax administrations develop these capabilities.
BRICS tax cooperation has previously included discussions on HR strategies and the sharing of good practices among tax authorities.
This means that modernising tax administration involves both digital infrastructure and investment in people.
4. Countries Discuss Ways to Share Tax Expertise
Another major theme was knowledge sharing.
The UAE FTA said international cooperation allows tax authorities to learn from different approaches and explore new ways of addressing common challenges.
Abdulaziz Al Mulla said participation in the 2026 meeting provided an opportunity to learn from diverse experiences, exchange best practices and explore approaches that could contribute to the development of tax administration.
Such cooperation can be particularly relevant as businesses increasingly operate across borders.
Tax authorities may need to coordinate on issues involving international transactions, digitalisation and changing economic models.
The UAE has also signed bilateral technical-cooperation arrangements with other tax administrations. In 2025, for example, the FTA signed a memorandum with Russia’s Federal Tax Service covering areas including digital transformation, training and international cooperation.
5. BRICS Tax Cooperation Is Becoming More Structured
The 2026 meeting forms part of a broader BRICS effort to institutionalise cooperation between tax administrations.
According to information published through the BRICS tax cooperation platform, the initiative includes knowledge-sharing mechanisms, capacity-building programmes and working-group activities.
The 2026 New Delhi meeting also produced several institutional developments.
India’s 2026 BRICS tax track established new working groups covering international taxation and transfer pricing and revenue statistics. A BRICS Tax Cross-Learning Lab was also launched, while a young tax professionals programme was institutionalised as an annual activity.
These developments indicate that tax cooperation is extending beyond individual meetings toward more continuous knowledge exchange.
6. International Tax Cooperation Remains Important
International taxation is becoming increasingly important as economies become more digitally connected.
Countries are discussing ways to improve cooperation, transparency and the exchange of tax information while addressing challenges associated with cross-border economic activity.
BRICS members have previously expressed support for stronger international tax cooperation and the development of a more inclusive international tax architecture.
The group’s tax cooperation work also includes discussions around tax administration, data, VAT, human resources and taxpayer services.
For the UAE, participation in these discussions provides another channel for exchanging expertise and following international developments in tax administration.
UAE’s Growing Focus on Digital Tax Administration
The UAE has been expanding its use of technology across government services, including tax administration.
The FTA has highlighted digital transformation as part of its approach to modernising tax services and improving interaction with taxpayers.
In June 2026, the FTA participated in the 60th CIAT General Assembly, which focused on the digital transformation of tax administrations and brought together tax authorities, international organisations and technology companies.
The UAE’s participation in both international tax forums and BRICS discussions provides opportunities to compare approaches to digital tax administration.
Why Technology Matters for Tax Authorities
Technology can influence several parts of the tax administration process.
Faster Data Processing
Digital systems can help authorities process large quantities of information more efficiently.
Better Taxpayer Services
Online services can make it easier for businesses and individuals to complete tax-related procedures.
Data Analysis
Tax authorities can use data analytics to identify patterns and improve administrative decision-making.
Digital Compliance
Technology can support more efficient compliance processes and communication with taxpayers.
International Information Exchange
Digital systems can also support cooperation between tax administrations where appropriate legal and institutional frameworks exist.
However, implementing technology also requires appropriate data governance, cybersecurity, trained personnel and clear regulatory frameworks.
What the UAE BRICS Tax Talks Could Mean for Businesses
The discussions are primarily focused on tax authorities rather than announcing an immediate new tax rule for UAE businesses.
For companies, however, developments in international tax cooperation can be relevant over the longer term.
Businesses operating across several countries may increasingly encounter:
- Digital tax systems
- Electronic reporting requirements
- Cross-border information exchange
- Transfer-pricing requirements
- Greater use of data analytics
- More digitally delivered tax services
Companies should therefore continue monitoring official guidance from the UAE Federal Tax Authority and other relevant tax authorities rather than relying on informal summaries.
UAE and BRICS: Continuing Tax Cooperation
The UAE’s involvement in BRICS tax cooperation is not new.
The FTA participated in BRICS tax officials and experts meetings in previous years, including a 2024 meeting in Moscow where participating administrations discussed tax regulatory frameworks, data collection, VAT modernisation, human resources and taxpayer-focused services.
In 2025, the UAE also participated in BRICS tax meetings in Brazil and signed a technical-cooperation memorandum with Russia’s Federal Tax Service on the sidelines of those meetings.
The latest New Delhi meeting therefore continues an existing pattern of UAE engagement in international tax cooperation.
What Happens Next?
The immediate outcome of the meeting is continued cooperation and knowledge exchange rather than a new UAE tax announced through the meeting.
Future work is expected to involve continued collaboration between participating tax administrations, including working groups, capacity building and sharing of practical experience.
China is set to take over the BRICS tax cooperation track chairship in 2027, following India’s 2026 chairship.
The continuation of working groups and knowledge-sharing platforms could provide a more permanent structure for cooperation between BRICS tax administrations.
Final Takeaway
The UAE BRICS tax talks in New Delhi brought the UAE Federal Tax Authority together with tax administrations from nine other BRICS countries to discuss technology, human resources, tax administration and international cooperation.
The discussions highlight how tax authorities are adapting to increasingly digital economies and more complex cross-border activity.
For the UAE, the meeting provides another opportunity to exchange expertise and explore international approaches to modern tax administration. It also builds on the country’s previous participation in BRICS tax cooperation and its broader focus on digital transformation.
For businesses, the meeting does not itself announce a new UAE tax requirement. However, the continued development of international tax cooperation makes it important for companies to follow official guidance and monitor future changes in digital tax administration and cross-border tax rules.
