UAE VAT services, managed end to end
Registration, accurate return filing, reconciliation and FTA correspondence, handled by one team that also runs your accounting. Prepared under UAE VAT law at the standard 5% rate and filed to Federal Tax Authority deadlines.
VAT run as a discipline, not a deadline
VAT has applied in the UAE since 2018 at a standard rate of 5%, with certain supplies zero-rated or exempt. Every registered business must charge VAT correctly, recover input tax only where allowed, and file accurate returns on time through the FTA EmaraTax portal.
The detail is where businesses lose money or invite penalties: misclassifying zero-rated versus exempt supplies, over-claiming blocked input VAT, mishandling the reverse charge on imports, or filing returns that do not reconcile to the books. We build VAT into your bookkeeping, so the figures are ready when a return is due rather than assembled at the last minute.
Because we handle your accounting, tax and audit under one roof, your VAT returns are prepared from a clean, reconciled ledger, and any position we take is one we can defend if the FTA asks. See how it connects to corporate tax, accounting and audit.
UAE VAT essentials
- Standard rate of 5%, with zero-rated and exempt categories
- Mandatory registration once taxable supplies pass the FTA threshold
- Voluntary registration available below the mandatory threshold
- Returns filed quarterly or monthly, as assigned by the FTA
- Input VAT recoverable only with valid tax invoices
- Records generally retained for a minimum of five years
A complete VAT service
From your first Tax Registration Number to complex advisory and FTA audit support, every part of the VAT lifecycle in one engagement.
Registration and deregistration
Assessing your obligation, preparing supporting documents, and securing your TRN. We also handle voluntary registration and clean deregistration when you fall below the threshold or cease trading.
Return preparation and filing
Accurate periodic returns prepared from reconciled records and filed on the EmaraTax portal ahead of the due date, with a clear working paper behind every box on the return.
Input and output reconciliation
Matching output VAT on sales and input VAT on purchases to your ledger and bank, identifying blocked or non-recoverable input tax, and resolving mismatches before they reach a return.
VAT health checks and reviews
A structured review of your invoicing, tax codes, and prior returns to surface exposure before the FTA does. Useful before an audit, an acquisition, or a change in your business model.
Advisory on complex transactions
Clear guidance on the place of supply, the reverse charge on imports, zero-rated exports, designated zones, real estate, and mixed or partly exempt supplies where input recovery must be apportioned.
Voluntary disclosures and FTA support
Correcting past errors through voluntary disclosure, drafting responses to FTA queries, and standing with you through a tax audit with the documentation to support every position.
Coded as each transaction is booked
- Standard-rated sales carry output VAT at 5%
- Zero-rated exports recorded at 0%, kept distinct from exempt supplies
- Reverse charge applied to imported goods and services
- Blocked input VAT flagged and left unclaimed
- Partly exempt input tax apportioned, not over-recovered
- Every figure traceable from invoice to ledger to filed return
Accurate returns start with clean records
Most VAT errors are really accounting errors. We run your books on Accounts-AI, our own accounting software, so transactions are captured, categorised and tax-coded as they happen. A team reviews the coding, and by the time a return is due the numbers already reconcile.
- Every sale and purchase tagged with the correct VAT treatment
- Input and output VAT visible through the period, not only at quarter end
- A clear audit trail from invoice to ledger to filed return
- Ready to pair with FTA-aligned e-invoicing as the mandate rolls out per FTA timelines
How we run your VAT
A repeatable cycle that keeps every period accurate, filed on time, and fully supported.
Assess and register
We confirm your registration obligation, review your supply types, set up the correct tax codes, and secure or update your TRN with the FTA.
Record and reconcile
Transactions are booked with the right VAT treatment through the period, then reconciled to bank and ledger so nothing is missed or double-counted.
Prepare and file
We prepare the return, walk you through the position, and file on EmaraTax before the deadline, with working papers retained for every figure.
Review and support
We monitor for changes, correct any prior errors by voluntary disclosure, and handle FTA correspondence and audits on your behalf.
Getting VAT wrong is expensive
The FTA applies administrative penalties for late registration, late filing, late payment, and incorrect returns. Interest and repeat penalties add up quickly. Accuracy is far cheaper than remediation.
Common exposures we remove
- Filing late or missing a period entirely
- Claiming blocked input VAT such as certain entertainment and motor vehicle costs
- Confusing zero-rated supplies with exempt supplies
- Failing to apply the reverse charge on imported goods and services
How we keep you protected
- Returns reconciled to the books before they are filed
- Voluntary disclosures made promptly to limit penalties
- Records organised and retained to FTA standards
- One team that can answer the FTA on your behalf
VAT questions, answered
When does my business have to register for VAT?
Registration is mandatory once your taxable supplies and imports exceed the FTA mandatory threshold of AED 375,000 over the previous 12 months, or where you expect to exceed it within the next 30 days. Voluntary registration is available once taxable supplies or expenses pass AED 187,500, which can help new businesses recover input VAT. We assess your position and register you correctly.
How often do I need to file VAT returns?
The FTA assigns each business a tax period, typically quarterly, though larger businesses may be placed on monthly filing. Returns and any payment are generally due by the 28th day of the month following the end of the tax period. We track your specific deadlines and file ahead of them.
How long must I keep my VAT records?
VAT records, invoices and supporting documents must generally be kept for at least five years, with a longer retention period for records relating to real estate. We keep your books and tax working papers organised and retrievable for the full required period.
What is a voluntary disclosure?
A voluntary disclosure is the FTA mechanism for correcting an error in a previously submitted return or registration. Disclosing promptly, before the FTA identifies the issue, generally limits your exposure. We prepare the disclosure, quantify the correction, and manage the submission.
Can I recover the VAT I pay on purchases?
Input VAT is recoverable where the cost relates to your taxable business activity and is supported by a valid tax invoice. Some costs are specifically blocked, and businesses making both taxable and exempt supplies must apportion their recovery. We apply these rules so you claim what you are entitled to and nothing you are not.
What happens if the FTA opens a tax audit?
We handle it with you. Because your returns are already reconciled to the books with working papers behind each figure, responding is straightforward. We draft the correspondence, provide the documentation, and represent your position throughout.
Put your VAT on solid ground
Registration, filing, reconciliation and FTA support from one accountable team. Book a consultation and we will review where you stand.