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VAT Services in Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Across the UAE
At BensCA, our VAT advisory services are designed to help your business navigate the complexity of UAE VAT regulations. From registration to reporting and refunds, our experts bring deep local knowledge and proactive support.
How VAT Is Calculated?
VAT in the UAE is assessed either by a retrospective method — summing your genuine supplies over the past 12 months — or via a forward-looking approach, projecting your business volume for the next 12 months. In some GCC countries, retrospective registration may require you to apply within 30 days of crossing a set threshold.
Criteria for VAT Registration
If your company’s taxable supplies plus imports exceed AED 375,000 in any 12-month period, VAT registration is mandatory. BensCA can also help you register voluntarily once you pass AED 187,500, if that makes commercial sense. Non-resident businesses may also reclaim VAT incurred on their local expenses.
VAT Rate in the UAE
Since 1 January 2018, the standard VAT rate in the UAE is 5% on most goods and services.
Registration & Filing Process
Registration takes place through the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) portal. Once registered, you must issue a VAT invoice (in AED) within 14 days of supply. Returns are filed electronically: monthly is required if your turnover is very large (≥ AED 150 million), otherwise quarterly. At the end of each period, BensCA will help you reconcile what you’ve collected versus what you’ve paid, and settle the net position with the FTA.
Application of VAT: What Is Taxable, Zero-Rated & Exempt
VAT applies across both mainland UAE businesses and many free-zone operations, though certain “designated zones” are treated like being outside the State for VAT purposes.
Zero-rated supplies (0%) include:
- Medical goods and equipment approved by the Ministry of Health
- Government-provided services with no private competition
- Exports outside the GCC region
- International transport of goods and passengers
- Certain education and healthcare services
- Investment-grade precious metals (e.g., very pure gold or silver)
Exempt supplies (no VAT, and no input-VAT recovery) include:
- Some financial services
- Residential property and bare land
- Local passenger transport
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