VAT Services in the UAE
VAT touches almost every transaction your business makes. Getting registration, filing and recovery right is where most compliance risk sits. FinApt Group's tax team handles your VAT position end to end, as your appointed tax agent.
The Rate and Thresholds in Plain Terms
The UAE charges VAT at a standard rate of 5%. Registration is mandatory once your taxable supplies and imports exceed AED 375,000 in the previous 12 months or the next 30 days. Businesses above AED 187,500 can register voluntarily. Returns and payment are due within 28 days of the end of each tax period.
Standard Rate
Applied to most goods & services in the UAE.
Mandatory Threshold
Previous 12 months or next 30 days.
Voluntary Threshold
Optional registration for emerging businesses.
Filing & Payment Due
Within 28 days of each tax period end.
End-to-End VAT Solutions
VAT Compliance
Registration, return filing and deregistration, handled accurately and on time.
- VAT Registration — mandatory and voluntary registration, TRN application
- VAT Return Filing — periodic returns prepared and filed with supporting reconciliations
- VAT Deregistration — managed where a business no longer meets the registration threshold or ceases taxable activity
VAT Advisory
Guidance on how VAT applies to your specific transactions, contracts and supply chain — not just generic rules.
- Classification of supplies (standard-rated, zero-rated, exempt)
- Contract and transaction structuring
- Cross-border and import/export VAT treatment
- Sector-specific advisory (real estate, financial services, e-commerce)
VAT Health Checks
A structured review of your VAT position before the FTA finds the gaps for you.
We review your VAT model, filing history and input tax recovery, and deliver a written report flagging errors, missed recoveries and compliance risks — with practical steps to fix each one before it becomes a penalty.
VAT Refund and Recovery
Where input tax exceeds output tax, or a refund claim has stalled, we manage the application and follow-up with the FTA through to resolution.
VAT Structuring and Transaction Advisory
For businesses restructuring, expanding, or entering new markets, we assess how VAT affects pricing, contracts and intercompany transactions before the deal is done. Not after.
Why FinApt Group for VAT
Appointed tax agent, authorised to represent you directly with the authority
VAT sits alongside corporate tax, transfer pricing and audit within the same group. No handoffs between separate firms.
Experience across real estate, holding structures, IT and cross-border GCC transactions
Frequently Asked Questions
Businesses whose taxable supplies and imports exceed AED 375,000 must register. Businesses above AED 187,500 but below that threshold may register voluntarily.
5% standard rate. Some supplies are zero-rated or exempt.
Eligible businesses can submit a refund application through EmaraTax when input tax exceeds output tax for a period, with the required documentation. Our tax agents manage the application and any FTA follow-up.
Common triggers include a change in business activity, an upcoming FTA audit, missed input tax recovery, or simply not having reviewed your VAT position since registration.
VAT registration depends on your taxable supplies, not your free zone or QFZP status for corporate tax. The two are assessed separately.
E-invoicing changes how invoice data is reported. It does not change your VAT registration or filing obligations. The two need to stay aligned. See our e-invoicing services.
Connected Tax & Advisory Services
VAT is tightly linked with corporate tax, e-invoicing and tax dispute procedures. Explore our related practices.
e-invoicing services
UAE E-Billing System roadmap, readiness assessments and PEPPOL CTC compliance.
Explore E-Invoicing →corporate tax
UAE CT registration, return filing, QFZP assessment, and restructuring advice.
Explore Corporate Tax →tax reconsiderations and objections
Representation in FTA audits, reconsideration requests and TDRC dispute resolutions.
Explore Tax Disputes →our tax services
Discover our comprehensive taxation, compliance, and FTA agency advisory practice.
View Tax Overview →