Tax Specialist

**Department:** Finance / Taxation **Location:** Oman **Reports To:** Finance Manager **Industry:** FMCG Manufacturing 1\. Job Purpose The Tax Specialist will be responsible for managing and ensuring the company's compliance with applicable tax laws and regulations in the Sultanate of Oman, with primary responsibility for **VAT, corporate income tax, withholding tax, and other applicable indirect and direct tax matters**. The role will support the Finance function in accurate tax reporting, timely filing of tax returns, tax accounting, transaction reviews, reconciliations, audits, and liaison with the **Oman Tax Authority (OTA)**. The position will also provide tax advisory support to the business on procurement, manufacturing, sales, imports, exports, intercompany transactions, pricing, and other commercial activities to ensure tax\-efficient and compliant business operations. 2\. Key Responsibilities \- A. VAT Compliance \& Administration * Manage day\-to\-day VAT compliance activities in accordance with Oman VAT legislation and regulations. * Prepare, review and file periodic VAT returns within statutory deadlines. * Review output VAT and input VAT transactions to ensure correct tax treatment. * Ensure proper application of VAT rates, exemptions, zero\-rating and out\-of\-scope transactions. * Review VAT treatment of: * Local purchases * Local sales * Imports * Exports * Intercompany transactions * Employee\-related expenses * Fixed asset purchases * Promotional activities, discounts and rebates * Samples and free\-of\-charge products * Damaged, expired and obsolete inventory * Perform monthly VAT reconciliations between the VAT returns, General Ledger, sales ledger, purchase ledger and ERP records. * Identify and rectify VAT discrepancies before submission. * Maintain appropriate VAT documentation and supporting records. * Monitor changes in Oman VAT legislation and assess their impact on the business. B. Oman Corporate Income Tax * Support preparation and review of corporate income tax computations and returns. * Maintain tax schedules and supporting documentation. * Assist in calculation and reconciliation of current and deferred tax where applicable. * Monitor tax provisions and tax\-related balance sheet accounts. * Support the Finance team during tax assessments and audits conducted by the OTA. * Ensure compliance with statutory tax filing and payment deadlines. C. Withholding Tax * Review transactions involving non\-resident suppliers, consultants, service providers and other overseas parties. * Determine applicability of withholding tax under Oman tax regulations and relevant double\-taxation agreements. * Ensure correct calculation, deduction, payment and reporting of withholding tax. * Maintain appropriate supporting documentation and certificates. D. Manufacturing \& FMCG Taxation * Review tax implications of the company's manufacturing and supply\-chain activities. * Ensure correct VAT treatment throughout the **procure\-to\-pay and order\-to\-cash cycles**. * Review tax treatment of raw materials, packaging materials, finished goods and consumables. * Review VAT implications of inventory adjustments, wastage, expiry, destruction and write\-offs. * Review tax treatment of trade promotions, discounts, rebates, free goods and promotional samples. * Support tax compliance relating to warehouses, distributors, wholesalers, retailers and modern trade customers. * Review tax implications of contract manufacturing and third\-party manufacturing arrangements. * Provide tax input on new products, business arrangements and commercial contracts. E. Import \& Export Transactions * Review VAT and customs\-related tax implications of imported raw materials, packaging and finished products. * Ensure proper documentation and reconciliation of import VAT. * Review the tax treatment of exports and ensure appropriate supporting documentation is maintained. * Coordinate with Procurement, Logistics, Supply Chain and Finance to resolve import/export tax issues. * Support reconciliation between customs documentation, ERP records and VAT returns. F. Excise Tax – Where Applicable * Monitor applicability of Oman Excise Tax to products manufactured, imported or distributed by the company. * Support Excise Tax registration, reporting and compliance where applicable. * Review product classification and tax treatment for products falling within the scope of Excise Tax. * Maintain appropriate records and documentation relating to Excise Tax. * Coordinate with Supply Chain, Commercial and Finance teams on Excise Tax implications. G. Tax Accounting \& Reconciliation * Maintain tax\-related general ledger accounts and schedules. * Prepare monthly tax reconciliations. * Reconcile VAT receivable/payable balances. * Monitor tax provisions, liabilities and recoverable amounts. * Identify unusual tax movements and investigate variances. * Support month\-end and year\-end tax closing activities. * Provide tax\-related information for management reporting. H. Tax Audit \& Oman Tax Authority Liaison * Act as a key contact for routine tax\-related matters with the Oman Tax Authority, under the direction of the Finance Manager/CFO. * Coordinate responses to OTA queries, assessments and information requests. * Prepare schedules, reconciliations and supporting documents required during tax audits. * Track tax audit issues and ensure timely closure of outstanding matters. * Maintain an organised tax audit file and correspondence record. I. Tax Advisory \& Business Support * Provide practical tax advice to Finance and other business functions. * Review tax clauses in commercial agreements and contracts. * Support Finance, Procurement, Sales, Supply Chain and Legal teams on tax\-related matters. * Assess tax implications of new business initiatives, pricing arrangements, product launches and distribution models. * Identify potential tax risks and recommend appropriate corrective actions. * Identify opportunities to improve tax efficiency while maintaining full regulatory compliance. J. Tax Technology \& Data * Ensure accuracy of tax\-related master data in the ERP system. * Review tax codes, VAT classifications and tax configuration in ERP. * Work with IT/ERP teams to resolve tax\-related system issues. * Support automation of tax reporting and reconciliation processes. * Assist in implementation and compliance requirements relating to **Oman e\-Invoicing/Fawtara**, where applicable. * Ensure tax data is accurate and readily available for statutory reporting and audits. 3\. Key Internal Interfaces The Tax Specialist will work closely with: * Finance \& Accounting * Procurement * Supply Chain \& Logistics * Warehouse * Manufacturing * Sales \& Commercial * Legal * IT / ERP * Internal Audit * External Auditors * Tax Consultants * Customs / Clearing Agents 4\. Qualifications **Essential:** * Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Taxation, Commerce or a related discipline. * Strong knowledge of Oman VAT and corporate tax regulations. **Desirable:** * VAT / Tax certification. * Knowledge of Oman Tax Authority processes and electronic tax services. * Exposure to ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics or similar. 5\. Experience * **3 – 5 years of relevant experience** in taxation, preferably within an FMCG, manufacturing, distribution or large trading organisation. * Minimum **3 years of hands\-on experience with Oman VAT and tax compliance** is strongly preferred. * Experience in managing VAT returns, reconciliations, tax audits and tax authority correspondence. * Experience with manufacturing transactions, imports/exports and supply\-chain taxation will be an advantage. * Exposure to Excise Tax and Oman e\-Invoicing/Fawtara will be advantageous. 6\. Technical Competencies The candidate should have strong knowledge of: * Oman VAT legislation and regulations * Oman Corporate Income Tax * Withholding Tax * Excise Tax, where applicable * VAT return preparation and filing * VAT reconciliation * Tax accounting and provisions * Import and export taxation * Tax documentation and record keeping * Tax audit management * Tax risk assessment * Transfer pricing concepts * Double Taxation Agreements * ERP\-based tax processes * Microsoft Excel and financial reporting tools * Oman Tax Authority electronic systems * Oman e\-Invoicing/Fawtara requirements 7\. Behavioural Competencies * Strong analytical and numerical ability * High attention to detail * Strong commercial awareness * Excellent organisational and time\-management skills * Ability to work independently and meet statutory deadlines * Strong problem\-solving capability * Good communication and interpersonal skills * Ability to work with cross\-functional teams * High level of integrity and confidentiality * Proactive approach to identifying tax risks * Ability to explain complex tax matters in practical business terms 8\. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) * 100% timely filing of tax returns. * Accuracy of VAT and tax computations. * Timely completion of VAT and tax reconciliations. * Zero/minimum avoidable tax penalties and compliance issues. * Timely resolution of OTA queries and audit observations. * Accurate tax treatment of business transactions. * Effective identification and mitigation of tax risks. * Timely completion of tax audit requirements. * Accuracy and completeness of tax documentation. * Successful implementation of tax process improvements and automation. * Compliance with applicable e\-Invoicing/Fawtara requirements. 9\. Preferred Candidate Profile The ideal candidate will be a **hands\-on Tax professional with strong Oman VAT experience**, preferably from an FMCG manufacturing, food \& beverage, consumer products or similar environment. The candidate should understand not only tax compliance but also the **commercial and operational aspects of manufacturing**, including procurement, inventory, production, warehousing, distribution, imports, exports, sales promotions and customer rebates. A candidate who combines **technical tax knowledge with strong ERP, Excel and business\-partnering capabilities** would be preferred. **Experience with Oman Tax Authority audits, Excise Tax and e\-Invoicing/Fawtara would be considered a significant advantage.** Pay: RO900\.000 \- RO1,100\.000 per month Work Location: In person