1. VAT in UAE Registration Criteria How to register for VAT
Registration Criteria
Companies in UAE whose taxable supplies within UAE exceeds or is expected to exceed the mandatory registration threshold of AED 375,000. Companies whose value of annual taxable supplies exceeds AED 187,500 can chose to register voluntarily.
It is important to note that there is no threshold limit for individuals i.e. non established taxable persons and they maybe required to register.
The Taxable supplies includes
Standard rated supplies
Zero Rated supplies
Reversed charged services received
Imported goods
How to register for VAT
VAT registration form would be available online on FTA’s portal should be filled and completed. It should be completed by a person who is the authorized signatory of the business e.g. A director, shareholder, holder of Power of attorney on behalf of the business.
Voluntary registrations are expected to be open from Q3 of 2017 and compulsory registration from Q onwards to give sufficient processing time for the implementation of VAT from 1st January, 2018.
VAT Registration

2. VAT Groups Registration
Details required and documents required for VAT registration The registration form will require details about the business as below
Description of business activities
Last 12 months turnover figures
Projected future turnover figures
Expected value of imports and exports
Whether the business expects to deal with GCC suppliers or customers
Details of Customs Authority registration, if applicable
Supporting Documents that are required
Trade License
Certificate of Incorporation
Emirates id and Passport Copy of signatory
Articles of Association
Bank account details
After approval of the application by FTA a Tax Registration number will be issued.
VAT Groups Registration
Group VAT registration can be applied for when two or more persons/businesses carrying on a business where
Each business has a place of establishment or fixed establishment in UAE
The businesses are related parties
Either one person controls the other or forms a partnership and controls the other
The entities within the VAT group are treated as one entity for VAT purposes and the supplies made between the members of VAT group are disregarded from VAT.
VAT return submissions to be made online
Due date of payment of VAT tax is set at 28days following the end of the return period. In case the return filing date falls on a public holiday or weekend the deadline in that case is extended to following first working day .
Tax Return filing & Payment
Record Keeping
Books of accounts
-Annual accounts, general ledger, purchase day book, invoices issued or received, credit and debit notes.
-All tax invoices and alternative documents relating to receiving goods and services
VAT Registration

3. Simplified VAT invoices
All received tax credit notes and alternative documents received
All tax invoices and alternative documents
All tax credit notes and related documents
Record of
All supplies and import of good & services
Exported good & services
Goods and services that have been disposed of or used for matters not relating to business
Goods and services purchased for which input tax was not deducted
Any other information as required by the FTA
Simplified VAT invoices
Where consideration for a supply is less than AED 10,000 a simplified invoice may be issued e.g.
TAX Invoice
Name & Address
TRN Number
Date of issue
Description of good & services sold
Total Amount payable in AED
Total Amount VAT chargeable
Penalties
Administrative Penalties
Not Less than AED 500 and not more than 3 times the amount of tax for which the penalty was levied.
Tax Evasion Penalties
Up to 5 times the relevant tax at stake and a prison sentence.
Audits
The FTA can visit businesses to inspect records and make sure persons are paying or reclaiming the right amount of tax, and are able to check whether businesses are liable to be registered where they are not
VAT Registration

4. FTA can close the place of business for up to 72 hours.
FTA will apply risk based selection criteria to determine whom to audit.
FTA usually would conduct the audit at a persons’ place of business or at FTA offices
If audit at a person’s place then the person has to be informed atleast 5 business days prior to audit
FTA can close the place of business for up to 72 hours.
FTA officer may request for original records, take sample of merchandise, mark assets to indicate that they have been inspected
FTA may remove documents , records and samples
The audited entity should be notified of the results of tax audit within 10 business days of the end of audit.
About N R Doshi & Partners
NRD is a leader in assurance, consultancy & tax advisory services based in UAE for over 35 years. For more information about our organization, please visit
N. R. Doshi Tax Services
Our services are designed to meet your business tax advisory and compliance needs. Our tax professionals draw on their diverse skills and perspective to give you seamless service in VAT compliance, VAT tax planning , VAT accounting and VAT consultancy. Our skilled professionals , global experience and commitment to quality service give you all you need to build the strong compliance and reporting foundations and sustainable tax strategies that help your business succeed.
This publication contains information in summary form and is therefore intended for general guidance only. It is not intended to be a substitute for detailed research or the exercise of professional judgment. Neither N R Doshi & Partners nor any other member of the organization can accept any responsibility for loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from action as a result of any material in this publication. On any specific matter, reference should be made to the appropriate advisor.
VAT Registration