FTA introduces Labaih Initiative to Simplify Tax Processes for Senior Citizens

Imagine this - a retired individual walks into a tax office, holding a file full of papers. Not because they want to… but because they have to. The forms feel unfamiliar. The systems feel overwhelming. And in between compliance and confusion, their confidence gets lost. This is the gap FTA has decided to address with the introduction of the Labaih Initiative.

Allow me to explain what this really means for you, your parents, or that neighbor who always comes to you for help with tax-related documents.

The Labaih Initiative was launched in January 2026. It recognizes that elderly citizens require a different tax filing experience - one that is personalized and respects their pace and comfort.

The basic concept behind Labaih, which means “at your service” is to bring practical tax support to people in the form of

• Personalized assistance for tax-related queries
• On-site assistance at designated service centers
• Guidance on tax procedures, refunds, and compliance

Thus, senior citizens now have access to guided, step-by-step assistance rather than having to navigate complicated portals or stand in long lines.

Why Does This Initiative Matter?

The UAE has over 1 million residents aged 60 and above, many of whom are business owners, investors, or landlords - people who still interact with the tax system regularly. Now think about tax registration rules, Refund applications, filing deadlines, and digital portals - for someone who didn’t grow up with these systems, even logging in can feel like a challenge.

In fact, in my conversations with clients over the years, I’ve noticed that most senior citizens are not worried about paying taxes - they are worried about making mistakes. This hesitation often leads to delays, missed deadlines, or dependence on others. But with Labaih -

• They can ask questions freely
• They get clarity without added pressure
• They feel more in control of their own finances

That shift - from confusion to confidence - is why Labiah matters.

What are the key features of the Labaih initiative?

The new Labaih initiative has multiple features; the primary of all is to facilitate the senior citizens to get the tax-related matters sorted without much complication and hustle. The other major features include the following:

• Direct line services: Under this feature of the initiative, the senior citizens would get the prompt responses for their queries and also continuous follow-ups.
• Priority access: Under this feature the citizens would get priority treatment, which would speed up the processes and steps through the tax support centers and call centers.
• Electronic document access: This feature allows the citizens to avoid any further visits to the offices or centers and to have access to tax-related documents via websites.
• Workshops and awareness activities: This is yet another feature under the initiative where more awareness programs are provided to the public, spreading more awareness of the tax-related updates.

The "Fast-Track" That Actually Respects Your Time

I often tell my clients that the most stressful part of taxes isn’t the math; it’s the waiting. But under the Labaih Initiative, that waiting game is gone for good. If you or your parents need to visit a Taxpayer Support Centre, there is now a fast-track service. So, no standing in long queues anymore.

Moreover, the FTA has introduced a Direct Line service. This is a specialized team - real people, not just automated bots - who are trained specifically to handle queries from senior citizens. They follow up on requests using simplified procedures, too.

The Awareness Sessions Are a Game Changer

We all know tax laws change. That's why FTA is rolling out tailored awareness activities such as workshops and introductory sessions that are delivered using methods suitable for the needs of senior citizens. That means the pace is slower. The language is clearer. They aren't just throwing a 50-page PDF at you; they are actually teaching the material in a digestible way.

How Can Senior Citizens Access the Labaih Services?

Getting access to the Labaih services is smooth and easy; the senior citizens can directly connect to the FTA call centers or can approach the Taxpayer Support Centers, where the citizens can get the services more swiftly than ever before. There are other facilities included under this new initiative where the senior citizens who are able to navigate through the websites and e-documents can apply and register for the taxes or get the tax compliance issues sorted by friendly websites initiated by the authority and also through the direct line services.

My Take - This is a Step Towards Inclusive Tax Systems

Tax systems are often designed for efficiency. But rarely for empathy. What the FTA has done with the Labaih Initiative is bring both together. This initiative proved that in the UAE, policies are now introduced while considering different segments of society and are becoming more human-focused.

The Labaih Initiative doesn’t replace digital systems; it complements them. It doesn’t simplify tax laws overnight, but it simplifies the experience of dealing with them. So, if you ask me, the success of this initiative will not be measured by how many people use it. It will be measured by how many people feel less overwhelmed because of it. And if even one senior citizen walks out of a tax interaction feeling more confident than before…

How Can CDA Assist With Tax Compliance?

The friendly and professional tax team of CDA can assist the senior citizen stakeholders and individuals to understand the tax compliance requirements in the best manner possible. The CDA’s team would help the entities in understanding the deadlines and the compliance requirements and guide them through the correct channels regarding the tax filing processes, tax registration, tax payments, etc.

To know more about the services, connect to our experts now!

Mitesh Maithia

Tax Manager

Mitesh is a Tax Professional with expertise in direct, indirect, and international taxation, including transfer pricing, since 2018. Passionate about making complex tax matters simple, he shares insights to help businesses stay compliant and forward-looking.