Abu Dhabi: The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has announced continued growth in the UAE's Digital Tourist VAT Refund System, with the number of electronically connected retail outlets rising to more than 19,340 outlets by the end of the first half of 2026. Expansion of self-service kiosksThe number of self-service VAT refund kiosks increased to 100 by the end of June 2026, compared with 93 kiosks a year earlier, representing annual growth of 7.5%. "The Authority is committed to the continuous development of its systems and services, including the Digital Tourist VAT Refund System," Al Mulla said. Among the most significant developments was the integration of the Noon e-commerce platform into the Tourist VAT Refund System, allowing visitors to claim VAT refunds on eligible online purchases made while in the UAE. Strong visitor engagementSince its launch, the Digital Tourist VAT Refund Platform has attracted approximately 143,720 visitors between mid-April and July 2026, averaging more than 1,451 visits per day.