Companies meeting the minimum turnover criteria will be required to get it registered for VAT. A Unique Tax Payer Registration Number will be provided to all the companies registered under VAT. 

Compulsory Registration for annual turnover in last 12 months of AED 375,000 and above

Voluntary Registration for annual turnover in last 12 months between AED 375,000 - AED 187,500

Not Required for annual turnover in last 12 months less than AED 187,500

Excludes the value of Exempt invoices.

A group of companies may register under a single VAT registration entity if they meet the eligibility requirements. Such a group is considered as a single taxable entity and allowed to balance the tax credit of member companies. Trade within group companies also does not attract tax.

Taxable supplies are all supplies of goods and services made by a person that are not exempt supplies (mentioned below). Taxable supplies comprise of standard-rated supplies and zero-rated supplies.

Zero-Rated Supplies

Under the Article 45 of the Federal Decree-Law no. (8) of 2017 on Value Added Tax, the following supplies are subject to VAT at zero-rate (0%):

• Export of Goods and Services to Outside the GCC

• International transportation services for Passengers and Goods

• Supply of certain Sea, Air and Land means of transport

• Buildings Specifically Designed to be Used by Charities

• Precious metals

• Converted Residential Building

• Education Services, and Supplies Relevant Goods and Services

• Healthcare Services, and Supplies Relevant Goods and Services

DO: Since the supplies as mentioned above are still taxable, you need to secure a record of these zero-rated supplies in your VAT account, which will need to reflect on your tax return. 

Exempt Supplies

The following supplies under Article 46 of the Federal Decree-Law no. (8) of 2017 on Value Added Tax are non-taxable; hence, they are qualified for VAT exemptions:

• The supply of some financial services (clarified in VAT legislation)

• Local Passenger Transport

• Bare Land

• Residential Properties

DON'T: You do not have to register for VAT if all your supplies are exempted. 

VAT Invoice is an issued document by a VAT-registered supplier, which serve as a proof and a record that VAT is paid for all taxable goods and services. It contains the following invoicing details as prescribed by the UAE VAT law:

• Company Name

• Company Address

• Tax Registration Number

• Sequential/Unique Numbering

• Issue Date

• Description of Goods and Services

• VAT Rate

• VAT Amount (AED)

• Unit Price of Good and Services

• Customer Name and Address

DO: You must issue a VAT Invoice within 14 days once goods and services are supplied. 

VAT Return is the document submitted to and as required by the FTA before the due date, which is filed on a quarterly and monthly basis. VAT Return contains the output tax due and input tax recoverable along with other information needed to complete the VAT Return format (VAT201- VAT Return). The due date of filing the VAT Return is the 28th day after the tax period ends. Payment should also be received by the FTA on or before the 28th day (FTA will not be held responsible if for any technical reason, they do not receive the payment even if it was affected from your end on time).

e.g. For instance, if your company has VAT Return for January to March quarter, you have to file the document before the 28th of April of the same year.

DON'T: Do not skip the process of filing your VAT Return as this will automatically result in incurring penalties imposed by the Federal Tax Authority (FTA). 

Under UAE VAT Law, VAT registered businesses are mandated to maintain several books of accounts and records for at least five years, which includes the following:

• Records of all supplies and Imports of Goods and Services

• All Tax Invoices & Tax Credit Notes issued and received

• Records of Goods and Services disposed

• Records of adjustments or corrections made to accounts or Tax Invoices

DO: Always keep well-maintained financial records of your business as this will be required and inspected by the FTA. 

Government may directly or through its appointed agents demand to audit the tax returns of the companies. Companies are required to maintain physical records of all purchases and supplies as also maintain complete registration details of suppliers and customers.