UAE (United Arab Emirates) introduced VAT (Value Added Tax) in January 2018 and started operation.
As of February 2018, when I wrote this article, there is still some confusion, but I have already mentioned on this page the information at the moment, the obligations as a UAE corporation, what to do, what to know, etc. I will.
This page is for those who have already established a corporation in the UAE or are considering establishing a corporation.
As of February 2018, when I wrote this article, there is still some confusion, but I have already mentioned on this page the information at the moment, the obligations as a UAE corporation, what to do, what to know, etc. I will.
This page is for those who have already established a corporation in the UAE or are considering establishing a corporation.
VAT (Value Added Tax) Overview
With the exception of some goods / services such as medical, educational, residential real estate and finance, it is treated as a Taxable Supply (probably almost all goods / services performed by Japanese people in the UAE).
The point is that in Taxable Supply, there are "Standard Rated" which is a normal 5% tax and "Zero Rated" which is a 0% tax, and if it corresponds to Zero-Rated, the actual tax is It is 0% (= no tax), but it is necessary to state in Tax Invoice that "AED0 is collected with 0% tax".
The point is that in Taxable Supply, there are "Standard Rated" which is a normal 5% tax and "Zero Rated" which is a 0% tax, and if it corresponds to Zero-Rated, the actual tax is It is 0% (= no tax), but it is necessary to state in Tax Invoice that "AED0 is collected with 0% tax".
Main Standard-Rated (5%) Supply
- Hospitality business such as hotels and restaurants
- Retail business
- Car rental
- Repair, maintenance
- Commercial real estate
主なZero-Rated (0%) Supply
- Export to countries other than GGC countries or provide services
- Telecom and IT services outside GGC countries
- transport
- education
- Medical, medicine, medical equipment
- Oil / gas
- Investment quality gold, silver and platinum
* Zero-Rated is the service provided to countries other than GCC countries (as of February 2018: UAE, Saudi Arabia only).
Obligation to register with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA)
Not all legal entities located in the UAE are subject to the VAT (Value Added Tax) system.
As of February 2018, corporations with annual sales of AED 375,000 (approximately 11 million yen) or more are required to register for an FTA.
Federal Tax Authority Corporate Registration Website
When you complete your FTA registration, you will be issued a Certificate with a TRN (Tax Registration No.).
This TRN number must be stated when issuing an invoice = tax invoice (invoice).
Registered legal entities are required to pay the tax collected from customers as VAT to the government via FTA, which is not the case for companies with sales of AED 375,000 or less and not registered.
If your annual sales are less than that, you don't have to comply with VAT regulations, but if you're not registered in an FTA, you can't claim a costly VAT recovery.
As of February 2018, corporations with annual sales of AED 375,000 (approximately 11 million yen) or more are required to register for an FTA.
Federal Tax Authority Corporate Registration Website
When you complete your FTA registration, you will be issued a Certificate with a TRN (Tax Registration No.).
This TRN number must be stated when issuing an invoice = tax invoice (invoice).
Registered legal entities are required to pay the tax collected from customers as VAT to the government via FTA, which is not the case for companies with sales of AED 375,000 or less and not registered.
If your annual sales are less than that, you don't have to comply with VAT regulations, but if you're not registered in an FTA, you can't claim a costly VAT recovery.
VAT recovery (refund) imposed on expenses
The following items can be treated as expenses.
Audit costs, bank-related costs, office rental costs, computer software, postal / home delivery service costs, utilities, health insurance, building insurance, marketing costs, stationery, Internet advertising, company website-related costs, etc.
Also, the following items cannot be recovered.
It was used as entertainment for the staff (it seems to refer to dinner, entertainment expenses, etc.)
Audit costs, bank-related costs, office rental costs, computer software, postal / home delivery service costs, utilities, health insurance, building insurance, marketing costs, stationery, Internet advertising, company website-related costs, etc.
Also, the following items cannot be recovered.
It was used as entertainment for the staff (it seems to refer to dinner, entertainment expenses, etc.)
The need for correct bookkeeping
Assuming tax invoices, receipt management, FTA requests, etc., corporations registered in FTAs should perform bookkeeping correctly, clarify company deposits and withdrawals, and prepare a system that can be submitted at any time if requested. is needed.
Bookkeeping can be done by yourself in a small company, or you can hire someone special. It is very important to do this the right way to avoid unnecessary penalties.
The FTA is currently encouraging the registration of accounting software companies and no software is available at this time, but a list of available accounting software should be published after coordination with the software supplier. ..
Currently, the most popular accounting software in the UAE is Quickbooks, Sage, Tally, etc., and these major accounting software are expected to be on the list. Therefore, if you are going to do Bookkeeping from now on, we recommend using these major accounting software.
Main documents to keep
Bookkeeping can be done by yourself in a small company, or you can hire someone special. It is very important to do this the right way to avoid unnecessary penalties.
The FTA is currently encouraging the registration of accounting software companies and no software is available at this time, but a list of available accounting software should be published after coordination with the software supplier. ..
Currently, the most popular accounting software in the UAE is Quickbooks, Sage, Tally, etc., and these major accounting software are expected to be on the list. Therefore, if you are going to do Bookkeeping from now on, we recommend using these major accounting software.
Main documents to keep
- Invoice
- Credit note / debit note
- Import / export documents
- Accounting Books
penalty
UAE's VAT (Value Added Tax) was introduced suddenly, but if many UAE businesses follow this, or if it should be taken or not, it is rushing to add value added tax too much. It is because there is a severe penalty.
Main penalties
Therefore, it is very important to keep proper bookkeeping, record transitions and keep documents.
Main penalties
- Failure to keep records and documents of business transitions stipulated by UAE tax law: 1st AED10,000 /-, 2nd and subsequent: AED50,000 /-
- If you do not register within the period even though you are obliged to register with the FTA: AED20,000 /-
- If you do not notify that the contents of the corporation registered in the FTA have changed: 1st AED5000 /-, 2nd and subsequent AED15,000 /-
- If Tax Return is not made by the due date: 1st AED1,000, if the same default is made within 1 year AED2,000 /-
- If you submit the wrong Tax Return: AED 3,000-5,000 /-depending on the condition
- If you do not display the amount including tax: AED15,000 /-
- If you did not issue a Tax Ivoice at the time of the transaction: AED 5,000 /-per invoice
Therefore, it is very important to keep proper bookkeeping, record transitions and keep documents.
Wise @ Social Network
Our Wise Consultancy always provides the latest information on Dubai information, establishment / maintenance of corporations, changes in visa regulations, Dubai real estate information, etc. on social networks.
Regulations change frequently and there are regional characteristics where information is easily confused, so if you are interested in the latest information, please consider following the SNS page of Wise Consultancy.
VAT (Value Added Tax) & Taxes, Related Columns
Click the title / image to see the details.

Wise Dubai Useful Information
-
Living in the world in Dubai A blog that roughly describes the days of our consultants. Irregular updates.
List Item 1 -
Dubai Area Guide (Freehold) Information on areas where real estate sales are open to foreigners.
List Item 2 -
Dubai Free Zone Guide Information about special economic zones (free trade zones) currently located in the UAE.
List Item 3 -
Dubai For Sale Real Estate Inventory Dubai Real Estate Introduction / Property List Introducing real estate properties in Dubai.
List Item 4 -
Dubai luxury car inventory Dubai Luxury Cars / Parallel Import / Export Car List Introducing luxury cars that can be purchased cheaply in Dubai.
-
Dubai Exhibition Schedule A page that introduces the largest exhibition in Dubai in the Middle East.
Contact Us
Telephone / IP phone is available only on weekdays (Sunday-Thursday) Dubai time (time difference 5 hours). You can also contact us via LINE | SKYPE (chat only).
ID: ys-consultancy.com