ZATCA Urges Individuals to Pay Zakat via Zakaty App

The Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority (ZATCA) has urged individuals to voluntarily pay their zakat through the Zakaty smartphone app or via the service’s website, zakaty.gov.sa, as part of Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation in the financial sector. The authority emphasized that the service ensures secure and reliable payments via banking methods, including Sadad and Apple Pay, providing a flexible and quick payment experience.

Context and Background

Zakat is one of the fundamental pillars of Islam, and in Saudi Arabia, the formal collection and distribution of zakat is overseen by ZATCA, which has been modernizing the process through digital solutions. The Zakaty service, launched by the authority, represents a significant step toward integrating religious obligations with cutting-edge technology, making it easier for individuals to fulfill their zakat duties while ensuring transparent and efficient distribution to those in need.

Key Details

The Zakaty service offers a comprehensive suite of features designed to simplify the calculation and payment of zakat. Users can calculate the obligatory zakat for various asset types, including cash, gold and silver, stocks, investment funds, and real estate acquired for trade. The app provides accurate calculations for gold based on purity, linked to global gold and silver prices, and enables users to access current stock and investment fund prices by simply selecting the name, thanks to ZATCA’s integration with the Saudi Exchange (Tadawul).

The service also provides an invoice for each transaction and sends reminders for zakat due dates, ensuring that individuals never miss their obligation. Payments can be made through secure channels such as Sadad and Apple Pay, offering both speed and security. Notably, the service allows users to choose the category of social security beneficiaries who will receive their zakat, ensuring that contributions are directed to the most deserving individuals registered with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.

Implications and Impact

The Zakaty service has seen remarkable adoption, with total amounts benefiting social security recipients exceeding SAR700 million since its launch. The growing popularity is attributed to the ease and flexibility of the app, the speed of calculations, and the availability of secure payment options. This digital approach not only enhances the efficiency of zakat collection and distribution but also promotes financial inclusion and transparency, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s broader economic and social reform objectives.

The service has been widely accepted, with a significant increase in app downloads, reflecting the public’s positive response to digital transformation in the religious and social sphere. By integrating with official social security systems, ZATCA ensures that contributions reach their intended beneficiaries promptly, strengthening the social safety net and fostering a culture of giving.

Vision 2030 Alignment

This initiative directly supports the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 by advancing the digital transformation of government services and enhancing social welfare. Vision 2030 aims to build a vibrant society with a strong sense of social responsibility, and the Zakaty app exemplifies how technology can be harnessed to fulfill religious and social duties efficiently. The service underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to using innovation to improve the quality of life for all residents and to maintain its position as a leader in the region. As Saudi Arabia continues to modernize its digital infrastructure, the success of the Zakaty app sets a precedent for future digital government services, reinforcing the nation’s vision of a prosperous and cohesive society.

20 Questions

Q1. What is the Zakaty app?

A1. The Zakaty app is a mobile application and website service provided by ZATCA to enable individuals in Saudi Arabia to calculate and pay their zakat electronically. It offers a convenient and secure way to fulfill this religious obligation and supports financial inclusion through digital channels.

Q2. Who launched the Zakaty service?

A2. The Zakaty service was launched by the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority (ZATCA) in Saudi Arabia. ZATCA is the government body responsible for managing zakat, tax, and customs matters, and the service is part of its effort to digitalize and streamline zakat processes.

Q3. How can individuals pay zakat through the app?

A3. Individuals can pay zakat through the Zakaty app using secure payment methods including Sadad and Apple Pay. These methods ensure fast, reliable, and safe transactions, making it easy for users to complete their payments anytime, anywhere.

Q4. What types of assets can be calculated in the Zakaty app?

A4. The app allows users to calculate zakat on cash, gold and silver, stocks, investment funds, and real estate acquired for trade. This comprehensive feature helps users to accurately determine their zakat obligations based on various financial holdings.

Q5. How does the Zakaty app calculate gold zakat?

A5. The app calculates gold zakat based on the purity of the gold using a specific formula. It is linked to global gold prices, ensuring that the valuation is accurate and up-to-date, so users can easily compute the zakat due on their gold.

Q6. Can the user access stock prices through the app?

A6. Yes, the Zakaty app allows users to access stock and investment fund prices simply by selecting the stock or fund name. This is made possible by the authority’s integration with the Saudi Exchange (Tadawul), providing real-time data for accurate calculations.

Q7. What payment methods are available?

A7. The available payment methods include Sadad and Apple Pay. These methods are widely used in Saudi Arabia and offer secure and quick transaction processing, ensuring a smooth experience for users.

Q8. Who receives the zakat collected through the service?

A8. All amounts received through the service benefit social security beneficiaries who are registered with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. Users can choose the specific deserving category of beneficiaries, allowing them to direct their zakat to those they wish to support.

Q9. Does the app provide reminders for zakat due dates?

A9. Yes, the Zakaty service features reminders for zakat due dates, helping users keep track of their obligations. This feature ensures that users do not miss their zakat payments, promoting compliance and timeliness.

Q10. Is the payment through the app secure?

A10. The app uses secure and reliable payment methods, including Sadad and Apple Pay, which are encrypted and trusted. This ensures that all transactions are protected and that user’s financial information remains confidential.

Q11. How has the service been received?

A11. The service has seen significant and increasing interaction from individuals, with total amounts paid to social security recipients exceeding SAR700 million. The app’s popularity is also evidenced by the increase in downloads, which reflects its acceptance and ease of use.

Q12. Why is the Zakaty app important for Saudi Arabia?

A12. The Zakaty app is important as it modernizes the zakat process, which is a key religious and social obligation. It enhances transparency, efficiency, and accessibility, contributing to the social welfare system and aligning with Vision 2030’s digital transformation goals.

Q13. What is the role of ZATCA in this service?

A13. ZATCA is the authority that oversees and manages the Zakaty service. It ensures that the service is secure, accurate, and integrated with other government systems such as Tadawul and social security, making the entire process seamless for users.

Q14. Does the app provide an invoice for transactions?

A14. Yes, the service provides an invoice for each transaction, which is a valuable feature for users to keep records. The invoice confirms the payment and supports transparency and accountability.

Q15. Can users choose which beneficiaries receive their zakat?

A15. Yes, the Zakaty service allows users to select the deserving category of social security beneficiaries. This feature empowers the user to directly impact who receives their zakat, making the giving process more personal and impactful.

Q16. What are the total benefits paid so far?

A16. The total amounts paid to social security recipients since the service’s launch have exceeded SAR700 million, indicating the service’s effectiveness in channeling zakat to those in need. This demonstrates the strong trust and engagement.

Q17. How does the app support Vision 2030?

A17. The app supports Vision 2030 by advancing digital transformation in the financial and social sectors, promoting financial inclusion, and enhancing the quality of life for citizens. It reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to innovation and social development.

Q18. Is the app available for everyone?

A18. Yes, the app is available for all individuals in Saudi Arabia who wish to pay their zakat. It is designed to be user-friendly and accessible, facilitating voluntary payments and contributing to social welfare.

Q19. How does the app calculate zakat for real estate?

A19. For real estate acquired for trade, the app calculates the zakat based on the current market value of the property. This ensures that the calculation is accurate and aligns with Islamic principles, making it simple for property owners to fulfill their obligations.

Q20. What makes the Zakaty app different?

A20. The Zakaty app is unique in its integration with official government systems, its comprehensive asset coverage, and its user-friendly features. It offers a seamless experience from calculation to payment, setting a standard for digital services in the Kingdom.

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