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UAE VAT — Registration, Returns & Compliance

VAT Services in Dubai & the UAE

VAT in the UAE is charged at 5%, and once your taxable turnover passes AED 375,000 registration is mandatory. SKM International handles the whole VAT cycle — registration, return filing, compliance reviews and deregistration — so your VAT is correct, on time, and penalty-free. Big Four-experienced chartered accountants, serving the UAE since 2006.

Rate
5% Standard 0% & Exempt
We Handle
Registration Returns Deregistration
Mandatory at AED 375,000 taxable turnover; voluntary from AED 187,500. Returns filed within 28 days of each tax period.
5%
Standard VAT Rate
AED 375k
Mandatory Threshold
28 Days
To File Each Return
2006
Serving the UAE Since

VAT — jump to what you need

Registering for the first time, closing down, or dealing with Corporate Tax or a penalty — go straight there.

VAT

VAT Compliance, Handled End to End

VAT has been part of UAE business since 2018, but it still trips companies up — late returns, wrong treatment of zero-rated and exempt supplies, and input VAT that never gets reclaimed. We take the whole thing off your desk.

The UAE introduced VAT at 5% on 1 January 2018, and the rate has not changed. It applies to most goods and services, with some supplies zero-rated and others exempt. Getting that classification right — and filing on time — is where compliance lives.

Registration becomes mandatory once your taxable supplies and imports exceed AED 375,000 over a rolling 12-month period, or are expected to in the next 30 days. Businesses below that can register voluntarily from AED 187,500, which can be worth doing to reclaim input VAT. Once registered, you file periodic returns — usually quarterly — within 28 days of the end of each tax period.

SKM International manages all of it: getting you registered, preparing and filing accurate returns, reviewing your VAT treatment so you neither over- nor under-charge, and handling deregistration when you wind down or fall below the threshold. Chartered accountants, Big Four experience, UAE since 2006.

Our Services

How SKM Helps With VAT

The full VAT cycle, under one roof.

We register your business for VAT on EmaraTax and obtain your Tax Registration Number — mandatory above AED 375,000, or voluntary from AED 187,500. More on registration →
VAT Return Filing
We prepare and file your periodic VAT returns within the 28-day deadline — calculating output and input VAT correctly so you pay or reclaim the right amount.
VAT Health Check & Review
Reviewing how you apply VAT — standard, zero-rated and exempt supplies, input recovery, and records — to catch errors before the FTA does.
Input VAT Recovery
Making sure you reclaim the input VAT you are entitled to on business costs — a common area where registered businesses leave money on the table.
Voluntary Disclosures
Where an error has been made on a past return, we help you correct it properly through a voluntary disclosure on EmaraTax — the right way to fix mistakes.
When you cease taxable supplies or fall below the threshold, we handle deregistration correctly and on time. More on deregistration →
Thresholds

Do I Need to Register for VAT?

It comes down to your taxable turnover over a rolling 12-month period.

The two thresholds

Mandatory registration applies once your taxable supplies and imports exceed AED 375,000 over the previous 12 months — or you expect them to within the next 30 days. Once you cross it, you have 30 days to register; miss that and there is a fixed penalty, plus you become liable for VAT from the date you should have registered.

Voluntary registration is available from AED 187,500 in taxable supplies or expenses. Businesses sometimes register voluntarily to reclaim input VAT on start-up and running costs, or because clients expect a TRN. We will tell you honestly whether it is worth it for you.

Behind on returns, or not sure if you should register?

Send us your turnover and we will tell you exactly where you stand — and take the filing off your hands. No obligation.

Call +971 55 278 9460 Mon–Fri 9–6:30 · Sat 9–3
Why SKM

Why Businesses Choose SKM for VAT

Big Four-Experienced
A senior team operating to Big Four standards — KPMG Dubai, Deloitte Dubai, EY Saudi Arabia — handling your VAT directly, not passing it down a line.
Filed On Time, Every Time
We track your return deadlines and file within the 28-day window — so late-filing penalties never arise.
Correct VAT Treatment
Standard, zero-rated or exempt — we get the classification right, so you neither overcharge customers nor underpay the FTA.
Maximise Input Recovery
We make sure you reclaim every dirham of input VAT you are entitled to — a real cash difference over a year.
Audit-Ready Records
We keep your VAT records and workings in order, so an FTA query is answered in minutes, not a panic.
VAT, Tax & Accounts Together
One team for VAT, Corporate Tax, accounts and audit — joined up, not scattered across providers.
FAQ

UAE VAT — Common Questions

What is the VAT rate in the UAE?

The standard VAT rate in the UAE is 5%, introduced on 1 January 2018 and unchanged since. It applies to most goods and services. Some supplies are zero-rated (0%) and others are exempt — getting that classification right is an important part of VAT compliance, and an area where we help businesses avoid mistakes.

When do I have to register for VAT?

VAT 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. Voluntary registration is available from AED 187,500 in taxable supplies or expenses. You can read more on our VAT Registration page.

How often do I file VAT returns?

Most businesses file VAT returns quarterly, within 28 days of the end of each tax period. Larger businesses, generally those with annual turnover above AED 150 million, file monthly. We track your specific filing cycle and make sure each return is submitted on time through EmaraTax.

Can I reclaim VAT on my business costs?

Yes — registered businesses can generally reclaim the input VAT they incur on business costs, subject to the rules on what qualifies. This is a common area where money is left unclaimed. We review your costs and make sure you recover the input VAT you are entitled to on each return.

What if I made a mistake on a past return?

Errors on past returns are corrected through a voluntary disclosure on EmaraTax. Handling it properly and promptly is important, as it affects how the FTA treats the error. We prepare and submit the voluntary disclosure for you and advise on what it means for your position.

Can SKM handle VAT and Corporate Tax together?

Yes. We handle VAT, Corporate Tax, accounts and audit as one joined-up service, so your figures reconcile across all of them and nothing falls through the gaps. Most clients find it far simpler to keep their whole compliance picture with one team.

Get Your VAT Right — and Off Your Desk.

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