Excise Tax & Litigation Manager

About the role

The Excise Tax & Litigation Manager will lead the management of complex UAE Excise Tax matters, focusing on Federal Tax Authority (FTA) audits, tax disputes, reconsiderations, TDRC proceedings and court litigation. The role combines deep technical knowledge of UAE Excise Tax legislation with hands‑on experience in tax controversy and stakeholder coordination.

Key responsibilities

• Provide technical advice on UAE Excise Tax legislation, regulations and FTA guidance, including complex or contentious issues.
• Lead and manage FTA Excise Tax audits and inspections, handling information requests, technical discussions and audit defence strategies.
• Review and challenge FTA assessments, penalties and decisions, identifying appropriate technical and procedural grounds.
• Manage the full tax dispute lifecycle, including reconsideration applications, Tax Disputes Resolution Committee (TDRC) proceedings and appeals.
• Oversee tax litigation before UAE courts, working closely with external legal counsel on case strategy, submissions and evidence.
• Prepare and review technical submissions, position papers, FTA correspondence and court materials.
• Ensure compliance with procedural requirements, statutory deadlines and limitation periods.
• Advise on registration, classification, pricing, warehousing, imports, production and compliance obligations related to excise goods.
• Assess Excise Tax exposures and develop risk‑mitigation, remediation and dispute strategies.
• Monitor developments in UAE tax legislation, FTA practices, TDRC decisions and court judgments.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders, the FTA, external tax advisers and legal counsel.
• Maintain reporting and governance over the Excise Tax controversy portfolio.

Required profile

• Significant experience and technical knowledge of UAE Excise Tax and the UAE Tax Procedures framework.
• Demonstrable experience managing FTA audits, tax assessments, penalties and complex tax disputes.
• Hands‑on experience with reconsiderations, TDRC proceedings and UAE tax litigation.
• Strong drafting, analytical, communication and stakeholder‑management skills.
• Ability to develop robust technical positions and manage high‑value, time‑sensitive disputes.
• Professional qualification or relevant background in tax, accounting or law preferred.

Required skills

• UAE Excise Tax legislation
• UAE Tax Procedures framework
• FTA audit management
• Tax dispute and litigation handling