The value-added tax (VAT), which came into effect from January 1, 2018, in UAE, is a consumption based tax which will be applicable at each stage of the 'supply chain'. That means, any UAE business making a taxable supply of goods and services will have to pay VAT on that supply. The VAT UAE is based on the same concept as followed by the other countries which use this tax system, however, the standard rate is fixed at 5% for all taxable supplies for VAT in UAE.
As per the VAT rules and regulations, some basic services (and goods) like food, public transport, and some healthcare services are exempt from the VAT, while some other services will be taxed at zero percent. You can find out more about VAT-exempt and non-exempt supplies on our blog. The VAT shall be levied at each stage of the supply chain, but there is a concept of input credit through which businesses can claim their taxes back from the government, and the ultimate VAT cost is borne by the end consumers.
VAT has been implemented in UAE with the aim to reduce the country's dependency on oil resources for revenue. It will create a new and stable source of income for the government, which will be utilized to provide better and more advanced public services. So, the ultimate benefit of VAT is to the general public.
The standard VAT rate in UAE is 5%, that means most of the taxable supplies will be taxed at 5%. However, some services are zero-rated under VAT while some others are kept free of tax. Click to review full VAT rate list
The VAT will be paid by a business (with annual turnover above Dh375,000) in UAE on any of their taxable supplies of goods and services. The tax is applicable at each stage of the supply chain. The VAT cost is ultimately borne by the end consumer when they pay the actual price (base price + VAT) at the time of purchasing a taxable product/service.
VAT was officially launched on January 1, 2018 in UAE and has been implemented on all eligible supplies across the country. The registrations for VAT started in 2017.
A farmer grows cotton which is plucked and sold to a factory
The factory processes the cotton and manufactures clothes which are sold to a retail chain
The clothes are stocked in stores and placed for sale to consumers.
A consumer buys a new dress.
What is VAT return? How to file VAT return in the UAE? Rules and guidelines to follow while filing VAT return on the FTA website
Read moreWhat is VAT refund? How to claim VAT refund in UAE? Which supplies are eligible for VAT refund and which ones are not?
Read moreVAT eligibility and registration process on the FTA website. VAT registration deadline and threshold limit for UAE businesses
Read moreOnline VAT calculation tool for UAE businesses. Calculate your VAT liability and how much tax you need to pay in a particular month.
Read moreVAT is applicable at the standard rate of 5% on most supplies in the UAE. Check out details of VAT rate, zero rate and exempt supplies
Read moreA real-time report on VAT impacts on various industries in the UAE, including real estate, business, health, fuel, food and more
Read moreVAT compliant bills and invoicing, and how to produce VAT invoice for taxable supplies made by registered businesses in the UAE
Read moreDetails on which records need to be maintained by businesses under the VAT and how to maintain them, and for how long
Read moreDetails of penalty on violation of VAT rules, including no or late filing of VAT returns, late registration, and any kind of VAT fraud.
Read moreThings a business needs to do in order to get VAT compliant in the UAE, including the details of VAT eligibility, laws and regulations
Read moreHow and when to pay VAT, the options for making VAT payment, VAT calculation and payment online/offline, VAT refund and more
Read moreHow is VAT different from Sales tax? Which tax is eligible for which persons/businesses? Tax applicability and eligibility and differences
Read moreThe FTA (Federal Tax Authority) has recently confirmed that VAT (Value Added Tax) will not be charged for donations, grants and sponsorships only in cases when they are made for no return benefit. It further added that if any benefit is received in the return of a donation, then VAT will be charged. On the …
The foreign businesses had problems in recovering the VAT (Value Added Tax) in UAE(United Arab Emirates). So to solve this problem, the FTA (Federal Tax Authority) has given some conditions. Conditions to be eligible for the VAT refund The FTA gave four conditions that will help the foreign businesses to allow the recovery of VAT …
The tax experts said that the healthcare services like the cosmetic will now subject to a 5 percent VAT rate. Most of the healthcare services are classified as zero-rated under the UAE VAT law which means that such services are subject to zero percent VAT. But it allows the VAT recovery on associated costs. While …
The VAT UAE Laws provide registered taxpayers (including voluntary registrants) and companies with provisions for VAT deregistration too. An entity can apply for deregistration if the annual turnover did not exceed Dh187,500 ($51,000) 13 months after registering with the FTA. The VAT UAE Deregistration Criteria Under the VAT Decree Law and Executive Regulations, VAT Registered …
VAT Regime was introduced in UAE on January 1, 2018. It has been almost one year in the introduction of VAT in UAE and we are pretty sure that businesses enterprises are aware of how to claim for the Input VAT recovery. The UAE government also has clearly mentioned the conditions for the businesses while …
UAE recently celebrated its first VAT anniversary. The country, known for its rich oil reserves and a booming global tourist hub, had introduced VAT to open up a new source of non-oil revenue for offering efficient and much improved public services, including medical facilities, good roads, transportation facilities, public schools, parks, waste control, and more. …
Stay Updated with the Latest VAT News in UAE