Who Must File VAT Returns in the UAE?
If your business is VAT-registered in the UAE, you are required to submit VAT returns regularly to the FTA. The returns are essential for reporting your VAT liabilities, which include the VAT collected on sales and the VAT paid on purchases. These returns must be filed by businesses that have successfully completed VAT registration with the FTA.
The frequency and timing of VAT return submissions are determined by your taxable turnover.
- Quarterly Filing: Businesses with a taxable turnover of less than AED 150 million must file VAT returns quarterly.
- Monthly Filing: Businesses with a taxable turnover exceeding AED 150 million are required to submit VAT returns monthly.
The deadline for submitting VAT returns is the 28th day of the month following the end of the tax period. Meeting this deadline is crucial for avoiding penalties.
Types of Supplies and VAT Rates
The UAE VAT system categorizes supplies into different types, each with its own VAT rate. Understanding these categories is essential for ensuring correct VAT charges and maintaining compliance. Here’s a breakdown and VAT consultants can assist businesses in navigating these complexities to ensure accurate tax handling:
- Standard-Rated Supplies: These supplies are subject to VAT at the standard rate of 5%. Most goods and services traded within the UAE fall under this category, unless explicitly exempt or zero-rated.
- Zero-Rated Supplies: These are supplies that are subject to VAT at a rate of 0%.
Examples include:
- Global shipping solutions
- Exports of products and services beyond the GCC
- Certain means of transportation like aircraft and ships
- Investment-grade precious metals
- Newly constructed residential properties (first-time supply within three years)
- Certain educational and healthcare services
- Exempt Supplies: These items are not liable for VAT., and no input VAT can be reclaimed
on them, except as specified under Federal Decree-Law No. (8) of 2017. Exempt
supplies include:
- Some financial services (as clarified in VAT legislation)
- Residential properties
- Bare land
- Local passenger transport
- Out of Scope Supplies: Certain transactions fall "out of scope" for VAT due to their place of supply or nature. These are specifically outlined in the VAT Decree-Law.
What is Input VAT?
Input VAT refers to the VAT a business has paid on its purchases during the tax period. This VAT can be reclaimed, provided the purchases are for taxable business activities. For example, businesses can recover input VAT paid on raw materials, goods for resale, or services received. Keeping track of input VAT is essential, and seeking guidance from VAT consultants can help ensure you're claiming all the VAT you're entitled to.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Failure to comply with VAT filing obligations can result in penalties. These include:
- Late Filing: A penalty of AED 1,000 for the first offense, and AED 2,000 for subsequent offenses.
- Late Payment: A penalty of 2% is applied to any unpaid VAT immediately after the payment deadline. After one month, this penalty increases to 4% and continues to accumulate monthly until the VAT is paid.
Navigating VAT registration, managing returns, and ensuring compliance with UAE tax laws can be challenging, especially for businesses without in-house tax expertise. This is where working with VAT consultants and Tax consultants in Dubai can be invaluable.
At Excellence, we offer expert Tax accounting services and VAT return services to businesses of all sizes. Our team of experienced VAT consultants helps guide you through VAT registration in the UAE, filing VAT Returns, and more, ensuring your business meets all the FTA's requirements and avoids costly penalties.
As an approved Tax consultant in Dubai, Excellence ensures that your business is fully compliant with local tax regulations, whether it’s for VAT or other tax obligations. With our assistance, you can manage your VAT filings seamlessly and focus on growing your business with peace of mind.
Working with VAT consultants ensures your business stays in compliance with the requirements of VAT returns, the different types of supplies, and the filing process, and your business can avoid penalties.