VAT Services
VAT Return Filing in UAE
Since 20178 Since 2017
- FTA approved tax agency
- Fixed fees, quoted up front
- Filed in your name
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Tell us where your business stands and we will tell you what is actually required of it.
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In one line
The return itself, filed to the period the FTA has set for your business.
Overview
What VAT Return Filing involves
With the coming of Value Added Tax (VAT) in the UAE in 2018, businesses are now obliged to follow VAT regulations, including the accurate and timely submission of VAT returns. Filing a VAT return is very important for tax compliance as it requires businesses to declare their taxable supplies, input VAT, and VAT payable to the Federal Tax Authority (FTA). Vigor Accounting & Taxation offers a complete VAT return filing service to assist businesses in meeting their legal obligations, avoiding penalties, and optimizing their VAT management processes.
- Tax services, one cluster
- 12Tax services, one cluster
- years, since 2017
- 8years, since 2017
- Professionals in Business Bay
- 75+Professionals in Business Bay
The basics
Understanding VAT Filing in the UAE
Value Added Tax (VAT) is an indirect tax borne by the consumption of goods and services at all stages of production and delivery. In the UAE, the standard VAT is levied at a rate of 5%, applying to most of the goods and services, with a few items being either exempt or zero-rated. Businesses that are registered for VAT are obligated to collect VAT from the customers on the taxable supplies and are also allowed to recover the VAT paid on their business-related expenses.
VAT returns are usually filed quarterly or monthly based on the size and the nature of the business. The filing of VAT returns is the fundamental process for businesses to declare their VAT liabilities and recover any input VAT that can be claimed.
Does it apply to you
Who Needs the Filing of VAT Returns in the UAE
Registered VAT businesses with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) should file VAT returns as required. Companies that reach the annual turnover threshold of AED 375,000 for compulsory VAT registration are also included in this. Apart from the above, the companies registered for VAT, which did so on a voluntary basis to of going above the voluntary threshold of AED 187,500 also file returns must do so. Companies that are registered for VAT have to, by law, submit their VAT returns even if they are not taxable for the tax period. Not meeting the deadline of the filing of the returns and the result, the fine and penalties may be charged by the FTA.
How it runs
Steps for Filing VAT Returns in the UAE
At Vigor Accounting & Taxation, we simplify the VAT return filing process, ensuring full compliance with FTA regulations. Here’s a step-by-step overview of the VAT return filing process
01
Gathering Financial Data
02
Accessing the FTA Portal
03
Submitting the VAT Return
04
Calculating VAT Liability
05
Completing the VAT Return Form
06
Paying VAT (if applicable)
Phase 6 of 6
Paying VAT (if applicable)
What it costs to get wrong
Penalties for Late VAT Return Filing
The FTA imposes penalties for late or incorrect submission of VAT TAX returns. Penalties can include
Working with professionals like Vigor Accounting & Taxation can help businesses avoid these penalties by ensuring that VAT returns are filed accurately and on time.
01
First Instance
AED 1,000 for the first instance of late filing.
02
Subsequent Instances
AED 2,000 for subsequent instances of late filing within a 24-month period.
03
Additional Penalties
Additional penalties may apply if there are inaccuracies or if the VAT payment is delayed.
Figures are as published on this service’s own page. Penalty amounts are set by the Federal Tax Authority and do change, so a tax agent confirms the current position before anything is relied on.
Where it goes wrong
Challenges Faced by Businesses in VAT Return Filing
Filing VAT returns can be challenging for businesses, particularly those without a dedicated accounting team or sufficient knowledge of VAT regulations. Some common challenges include
How Vigor Accounting & Taxation LLC Can Help You with VAT Filing Services
At Vigor Accounting & Taxation, we provide a comprehensive suite of VAT return filing services tailored to the specific needs of businesses in the UAE. Our expert team ensures that your VAT returns are accurate, compliant, and submitted on time, helping you avoid penalties and streamline your VAT management processes.
Accurate Record-Keeping
Complex VAT Calculations
Compliance with FTA Regulations
Time Constraints
End-to-End VAT Filing Services
VAT Advisory and Support
Compliance with FTA Regulations
Error-Free Submissions
Detail
Key Components of VAT Return Filing
When filing VAT returns in the UAE, businesses are required to report specific financial data to the FTA. The key components of a VAT return include
Output VAT
Output VAT refers to the VAT collected on the sale of goods and services. Businesses must calculate the total value of taxable supplies made during the VAT period and report the corresponding VAT collected from customers.
Exempt and Zero-Rated Supplies
Businesses must also report any exempt or zero-rated supplies separately in their VAT returns. Exempt supplies do not incur VAT, while zero-rated supplies are subject to a 0% VAT rate, allowing businesses to recover input VAT on related expenses.
Input VAT
Input VAT is the VAT that businesses pay on purchases of goods and services for their operations. Businesses are allowed to recover this VAT, provided the expenses are directly related to their taxable supplies. Input VAT can be claimed as a deduction against output VAT.
Net VAT Payable
The net VAT payable is the difference between output VAT and input VAT. If the output VAT exceeds the input VAT, the business must pay the difference to the FTA. If the input VAT exceeds the output VAT, the business can claim a refund or carry forward the excess to future VAT periods.
Adjustments
Adjustments may need to be made for corrections, bad debts, or changes in taxable supplies. Businesses must ensure that these adjustments are accurately reflected in their VAT returns to avoid discrepancies.
Where this one sits
12 VAT services in Dubai and the UAE
They are one lifecycle. You register before you file, you cannot close a registration you never opened, and a penalty reconsideration only exists because something was assessed first. Here is the order, and where this page sits in it.
VAT, in order
You register, you keep the records, you file, and one day you close it.
Corporate tax
A separate registration and a separate return, on its own annual cycle.
When something goes wrong
These exist because of something that already happened: money owed back, a figure disputed, a penalty imposed.
At any point
Neither of these waits for a deadline.
The lines show the order, which does not change. Thresholds, rates, filing periods and penalty amounts are set by the Federal Tax Authority and do change, so none of them is drawn here. A tax agent confirms where your business actually stands.
Or go straight to one
Federal Tax Authority
What FTA approval permits us to do
Plenty of firms in Dubai help with VAT. Far fewer are approved by the Federal Tax Authority to represent a business before it. That approval is what the mark on the right stands for, and this is what it lets us do for you.
Act for you in front of the FTA
An approved agent can correspond with the Federal Tax Authority on your behalf rather than leaving you to answer alone.
File and defend the position taken
The same firm that prepares the return is the one that explains it if the Authority asks a question about it.
Held to the Authority's own standard
Approval is granted against the FTA's requirements for qualification, conduct and record keeping, and it is reviewed.
The approval was reported by
Government Agencies
We work closely with all Government Agencies
Company formation, licensing, visas, customs codes and tax registration all pass through these authorities. Start a company setup.
Answers
Questions asked about VAT Return Filing in UAE
The 6 asked most often, answered by a tax agent.
01Is VAT return filing mandatory for my business?
Yes, once a business is VAT registered it must file returns for every tax period, even if there were no sales or purchases. Returns report output VAT on sales, input VAT on purchases, and any exempt or zero rated supplies. Filing continues until the registration is formally deregistered with the FTA.
02How much does VAT return filing cost in the UAE?
There is no fixed published fee since the work depends on transaction volume, the complexity of exempt and zero rated supplies, and how organised the accounting records are. Firms quote VAT filing after reviewing the business, so a firm price is given through a proposal rather than a standard rate.
03When is the VAT return due each period?
VAT returns are due within 28 days of the end of the tax period, which is usually monthly or quarterly depending on the business. Any net VAT payable, the difference between output and input VAT, must also be settled by that same deadline to avoid late payment issues.
04What happens if I file my VAT return late?
Late filing exposes a business to FTA penalties, and any unpaid net VAT continues to accrue additional charges the longer it remains outstanding. Consistent late filing can also draw closer FTA scrutiny of the business's records, so returns should be submitted and paid within the 28 day deadline for each tax period.
05What documents do I need to prepare for VAT filing?
You need records of all taxable supplies made, including exempt and zero rated sales, plus invoices for input VAT claimed on business purchases. Supporting data for any adjustments, such as corrections or bad debts, should also be kept. Accurate financial data gathered before accessing the FTA portal makes the calculation and submission process smoother.
06Can I recover the VAT I pay on business expenses?
Input VAT paid on purchases can generally be recovered, provided the expenses relate directly to taxable business activities. This input VAT is offset against output VAT collected on sales to arrive at the net VAT payable or refundable for the period, so keeping clear purchase records is essential for an accurate claim.
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