VAT services in Dubai
VAT in the UAE is 5%, and the compliance around it is constant: registration, invoices, returns every quarter and records the FTA can inspect. We run it for you.
- VAT rate
- 5% standard rate
- Mandatory registration
- Taxable supplies and imports above AED 375,000
- Voluntary registration
- From AED 187,500
- Returns
- Quarterly for most businesses, due by the 28th day after the period
VAT compliance that runs in the background
VAT is a transaction tax, so mistakes repeat. A wrong treatment on one type of sale shows up on every invoice and every return until someone notices. That is why VAT services in Dubai are less about the form you file each quarter and more about the process behind it.
We set the process up properly: VAT registration at the right time, invoices that meet FTA requirements, the correct treatment for each kind of supply, and VAT returns prepared from reconciled books.
When something goes wrong, such as a late registration, an error in a past return or a query from the FTA, we deal with it and tell you plainly what it will cost.
Figures on this page reflect UAE rules as understood in October 2026. We confirm what applies to your company before any filing.
Our VAT services
VAT registration
Threshold review, application through EmaraTax and your TRN certificate, for mandatory and voluntary registrations.
VAT return filing
Returns prepared from your books, reconciled to your ledgers and filed before the due date each period.
VAT refunds
Refund claims for excess input tax, with the supporting documents the FTA asks for.
VAT advisory
Written advice on the treatment of specific transactions, contracts and business models.
VAT health check
A review of past returns and records to find errors before the FTA does, with voluntary disclosures where needed.
Deregistration and amendments
Cancelling or updating your registration when your business closes, shrinks or changes.
Review
We look at your sales, purchases, contracts and past returns to understand where VAT arises in your business.
Fix the basics
Invoice format, tax codes in your accounting software and the treatment of each income stream are corrected.
Run the cycle
Each period we reconcile, prepare the return, send it to you for approval and file it.
Report
You get a short summary of VAT payable or refundable and anything that needs your attention.
Work out the VAT on any amount
Type the amount before tax to see the total, or type the total to see what it was before tax. The VAT is worked out as you type.
How VAT applies to common supplies
| Treatment | Rate | Typical examples | Input VAT recoverable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard-rated | 5% | Most goods and services sold in the UAE, commercial property rent | Yes |
| Zero-rated | 0% | Exports outside the GCC, international transport, the first supply of new residential property, certain healthcare and education | Yes |
| Exempt | No VAT | Residential rent, bare land, local passenger transport, certain financial services | No, on related costs |
| Out of scope | No VAT | Salaries, dividends, supplies made wholly outside the UAE | Depends on the activity |
Zero-rated supplies count towards the registration threshold. Exempt supplies do not.
Businesses we look after
VAT works differently by sector. These are the ones we see most.
- Trading and e-commerce businesses with imports, exports and marketplaces
- Service firms and consultancies billing clients inside and outside the UAE
- Real estate owners with mixed commercial and residential income
- Free zone companies, including those in designated zones
- Contractors with long projects, retentions and progress billing
What is the VAT rate in Dubai?
The standard VAT rate across the UAE, including Dubai, is 5%. Some supplies are zero-rated or exempt.
When does a business have to register for VAT?
When its taxable supplies and imports exceeded AED 375,000 in the previous 12 months, or are expected to exceed it in the next 30 days. Registration is optional from AED 187,500.
How often are VAT returns filed?
Most businesses file quarterly. Businesses with annual turnover of AED 150 million or more are usually placed on monthly filing. Each return is due by the 28th day after the tax period ends.
What happens if a VAT return is wrong?
Small errors can be corrected in the next return. If the tax understated is more than AED 10,000, a voluntary disclosure must be submitted to the FTA. We prepare and file these.
Do free zone companies charge VAT?
In most cases yes. Free zone companies follow the normal VAT rules. Special rules apply to goods moving in and out of designated zones.
Can you work with our existing accounting software?
Yes. We work in the cloud accounting software you already use, such as Zoho Books, Xero or QuickBooks, and can help you move to one if you are on spreadsheets.
Related services
VAT Registration
VAT registration in Dubai: threshold check, documents, EmaraTax application and TRN certificate.
VAT Return Filing
VAT returns prepared from your books, checked against invoices and filed before the deadline.
VAT Advisory
VAT consultants in Dubai for transaction advice, health checks, voluntary disclosures and FTA queries.
Accounting & Bookkeeping
Monthly bookkeeping, management accounts and year-end financial statements for Dubai companies.
Hand your VAT to a team that does it every day
Tell us how many invoices you raise a month and whether you are registered. We will tell you what you need.