JPA

VAT Services UAE

VAT registration, returns,
refunds, and FTA defence.

VAT-registered Dubai businesses face increasing scrutiny on input claims, e-invoicing readiness, and reverse charge mechanisms. JPA’s VAT team handles the full lifecycle — from registration to refund to FTA audit defence.

FTA-Approved FilingsVAT Refund RecoveryReverse Charge SpecialistsVoluntary Disclosure Support

Why VAT compliance got harder in 2026.

Eight years into UAE VAT, the FTA has moved from education-mode to enforcement-mode. We’ve seen client audits in 2025 and 2026 where every input VAT claim required source documentation, every reverse charge entry was checked, and every zero-rated supply needed evidence (export documents, healthcare licenses, education accreditation).

Add to that the upcoming e-invoicing mandate, the increasing complexity of cross-border B2B services, and the FTA’s tightening of voluntary disclosure rules — and DIY VAT becomes risky.

Our VAT service is end-to-end: we register you correctly, file accurately, recover legitimate input VAT, handle voluntary disclosures, and represent you if the FTA queries a return. Most of our clients have us on a quarterly retainer because the cost is dwarfed by what we save them in penalties and recovered VAT.

UAE VAT services and FTA compliance Dubai
Our VAT Services

End-to-end VAT compliance and recovery.

Registration, returns, refunds, audits — handled by FTA-experienced advisors.

01

Mandatory VAT Registration

For businesses with taxable supplies above AED 375,000. We handle the EmaraTax application and TRN issuance — typically within 5 working days.

02

Voluntary VAT Registration

For businesses between AED 187,500 and AED 375,000 in supplies. Helps recover input VAT on setup costs and equipment.

03

Tax Group Registration

Consolidated VAT for related UAE entities. Reduces internal-charge VAT and simplifies group reporting.

04

Monthly & Quarterly VAT Returns

Filing frequency based on your annual turnover. Returns prepared from your bookkeeping records and submitted before the 28th deadline.

05

VAT Refund Applications

Recovery of excess input VAT, tourist VAT refund schemes for retailers, foreign business VAT refunds.

06

Reverse Charge Mechanism

Correct treatment of imported services, GCC transactions, and B2B cross-border supplies — common audit-trigger area.

07

VAT Health Check

Pre-audit review of your VAT records to identify exposure before the FTA does. Often saves 5-figure penalties.

08

Voluntary Disclosure

Correcting past return errors with reduced penalties. Strict procedural requirements — get it wrong and the disclosure is rejected.

09

FTA Audit Representation

Direct correspondence with FTA assessors. Document preparation, evidence collation, and dispute resolution.

Common VAT penalties we help avoid.

AED 1,000 — first late VAT return filing
AED 2,000 — repeat late filings within 24 months
2% monthly on unpaid VAT (compounding)
AED 10,000 — failure to maintain proper records
Up to 50% of underpaid tax — voluntary disclosure errors
5% of tax due — incorrect tax invoice issued
AED 5,000 per missing tax invoice copy
AED 15,000 — failure to display VAT-inclusive prices

Have a VAT deadline this month?

Send your TRN and quarter — we’ll quote return preparation within an hour.

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Request a tailored VAT Services quote

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Free Calculator

Calculate Your VAT Liability

Instantly estimate your UAE VAT obligations, input tax credits, and refund eligibility with our free calculator.

VAT Calculator

UAE VAT calculator & registration check

Find out instantly: must you register for UAE VAT? What's your estimated quarterly liability? Should you register voluntarily? Our calculator checks all three. Built by JPA's FTA-registered Tax Agent team.

[jpa_calc_vat]

UAE VAT thresholds explained

Mandatory registration: AED 375,000. If your taxable supplies (sales of goods/services in the UAE) exceeded AED 375,000 in the past 12 months, OR you expect to exceed it in the next 30 days, you must register within 30 days. Failure to register on time triggers an FTA penalty of AED 10,000.

Voluntary registration: AED 187,500. Once your taxable supplies (or expenses) cross AED 187,500, you can register voluntarily. This is useful if your customers are VAT-registered businesses (you can charge them VAT and reclaim your input VAT on costs).

Below AED 187,500. No registration needed. You can still register voluntarily if you want, but most small businesses skip it.

[jpa_faq] [faq q="What is the standard UAE VAT rate?"]The standard UAE VAT rate is 5%, applied to most goods and services. Some categories are zero-rated (exports, international transport, healthcare, education) and a small list is exempt (residential rent, financial services, life insurance).[/faq] [faq q="When must I file VAT returns?"]Most businesses file quarterly — due 28 days after the end of each tax period. The FTA assigns you to a specific quarterly cycle when you register. Larger businesses (over AED 150 million annual turnover) file monthly.[/faq] [faq q="What is input VAT and can I reclaim it?"]Input VAT is the VAT you've paid to suppliers on your business purchases. As a registered business, you can offset input VAT against your output VAT (VAT you charged customers). The net difference is what you pay to the FTA. Some categories of input VAT are blocked (entertainment, employee benefits beyond limits, personal use vehicles).[/faq] [faq q="What happens if I file late or pay late?"]FTA penalties are significant: AED 1,000 first late filing, AED 2,000 for repeats; 2% of unpaid tax immediately, 4% per month thereafter. Interest accrues until paid. We file all our clients' returns at least 7 days before the deadline.[/faq] [faq q="Can I deregister from VAT?"]Yes, if your taxable supplies fall below AED 187,500 (the voluntary threshold) for 12 consecutive months and you don't expect them to recover. You apply via EmaraTax. We handle deregistration as part of our VAT services.[/faq] [/jpa_faq]

How JPA handles your VAT

From AED 750/quarter, we manage:

  • Initial TRN registration on EmaraTax with the right activities
  • Sales/purchase reconciliation from your bookkeeping data
  • Reverse charge handling on imports and overseas services
  • Input VAT recovery — we maximise what you can reclaim
  • Quarterly return preparation and FTA submission
  • FTA correspondence — we represent you for any queries
  • Filing confirmation with our team's stamp on the submission

Need personalised advice? Speak with a senior tax partner for free.

Book Free Consultation → ☎ +971 56 772 8414
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