Qatar’s General Tax Authority has introduced amendments to the country’s excise tax law, expanding its scope to include sugary beverages as part of efforts to promote healthier lifestyles.
The changes come under Law No. (2) of 2026 amending certain provisions of Law No. (25) of 2018 on excise tax, introducing new measures targeting sugary drinks and revising how taxes on sweetened beverages are calculated.
Under the updated policy, sugary drinks have been added to the list of excise goods, including soft drinks and juices containing added sugar.
A key feature of the amendment is the introduction of a tiered tax system based on sugar content per volume. Instead of applying a fixed percentage on retail price, the tax will now be calculated according to the amount of sugar or sweeteners in a product.
Authorities say the move is designed to reduce the consumption of high-sugar products and encourage healthier lifestyle choices among residents.
The law further requires any person holding excise goods to submit tax declarations disclosing their stock levels once it comes into effect. This requirement will also apply when new excise goods are added to the taxable list.
According to the provisions, the amendments will take effect three months after issuance, giving stakeholders time to adjust to the new regulations.
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