Home Tax & VAT VAT Services VAT Registration
VAT Registration on the FTA EmaraTax Portal

VAT Registration in Dubai & the UAE

If your taxable turnover has passed AED 375,000, VAT registration is mandatory — and you have just 30 days to do it before penalties apply. SKM International registers your business on EmaraTax, obtains your Tax Registration Number, and makes sure it is done correctly the first time. Chartered accountants, serving the UAE since 2006.

Mandatory
AED 375,000
Voluntary
AED 187,500
30 days to register once you exceed the mandatory threshold — miss it and there is a fixed AED 10,000 penalty plus backdated VAT liability.
AED 375k
Mandatory Threshold
AED 187.5k
Voluntary Threshold
30 Days
To Register After Exceeding
TRN
Issued on EmaraTax

Related VAT & tax services

Already registered, winding down, or dealing with Corporate Tax or a penalty?

VAT Registration

Register for VAT — Correctly and On Time

VAT registration sounds simple until you are in the EmaraTax portal deciding which supplies count, what evidence to attach, and whether you have already crossed the threshold. Getting it wrong delays your TRN or triggers a penalty.

Registration is mandatory once your taxable supplies and imports exceed AED 375,000 over a rolling 12-month period — or you expect to exceed it within the next 30 days. From that point you have 30 days to register with the FTA.

Voluntary registration is available from AED 187,500 in taxable supplies or expenses. It is often worth it for newer businesses that want to reclaim input VAT on set-up costs, or whose clients expect a TRN. But it also brings filing obligations, so it is a decision worth taking advice on rather than defaulting into.

SKM International handles the whole registration: confirming which threshold applies to you, preparing the application and supporting documents, submitting it on EmaraTax, and obtaining your Tax Registration Number — then setting you up so your first return is straightforward.

What We Handle

Your VAT Registration, Done For You

We take the application off your hands end to end.

Threshold Check
We review your turnover over the rolling 12-month period and confirm whether you must register, can register voluntarily, or are not yet required to.
Document Preparation
Trade licence, ownership details, financials and turnover evidence — we assemble what the FTA needs so the application is not held up for missing information.
EmaraTax Submission
We complete and submit the registration on the FTA's EmaraTax portal, handle any FTA queries, and obtain your Tax Registration Number.
Group & Branch Registration
Where it fits, we advise on VAT group registration for related companies, and handle registrations involving branches or multiple entities.
Late Registration Help
Already past the deadline? We register you without further delay and advise on the penalty position — acting quickly is what limits the damage.
First-Return Setup
Once your TRN is issued, we set you up to file correctly from day one — so registration flows straight into clean, on-time returns.

Not sure if you have crossed the threshold?

Send us your last 12 months of turnover and we will tell you immediately whether you must register — and handle it for you if you do.

Call +971 50 717 2345 Mon–Fri 9–6:30 · Sat 9–3
FAQ

VAT Registration — Common Questions

When is VAT registration mandatory?

VAT registration is mandatory once your taxable supplies and imports exceed AED 375,000 over a rolling 12-month period, or you expect them to exceed that amount within the next 30 days. Once you cross the threshold you have 30 days to register with the FTA through EmaraTax.

What is the voluntary registration threshold?

You can register voluntarily once your taxable supplies or expenses exceed AED 187,500. Businesses often do this to reclaim input VAT on start-up and running costs, or because their customers expect them to have a Tax Registration Number. Voluntary registration brings filing obligations, so it is worth weighing up first.

What is the penalty for late registration?

Failing to register within 30 days of exceeding the mandatory threshold carries a fixed penalty of AED 10,000. You also become liable for VAT on the taxable supplies you made from the date you should have registered. If you are already late, registering quickly is what limits the exposure — we can do that for you straight away.

How long does VAT registration take?

Once a complete application is submitted on EmaraTax, the FTA typically processes straightforward registrations within a few business days, though applications needing extra information or clarification can take longer. Submitting a clean, complete application is the best way to avoid delays — which is exactly what we handle.

What documents do I need to register?

Typically your trade licence, owner and authorised-signatory details, contact and bank information, and evidence of your turnover such as financial statements or revenue records. The exact set depends on your structure. We confirm the full list for your situation and assemble it so the application is not delayed.

Can SKM handle my returns after registering?

Yes. Most clients have us register them and then file their ongoing VAT returns, so it is one continuous service. We set you up at registration to file cleanly from your first return, and keep you on top of every deadline after that. See our VAT Services page for the full picture.

Need to Register for VAT? Let's Get It Done.

Mon–Fri 9:00AM–6:30PM  |  Sat 9:00AM–3:00PM  |  Office 102, Al Tawhidi Building, Al Mankhool, Dubai UAE