VAT Consultancy Services

VAT Service in UAE

VAT refers to Value Added Tax. It has been considered as a mandated consumption tax on goods and services. At present, almost 160 countries have levied this concept in their country law and the increasing rate of VAT acceptance has resulted in a higher number of VAT Consultancies all across the globe. If your business hasn’t been registered for VAT services, this is the first crucial job that needs to get done. To know the reason behind the urgency, do continue reading.

VAT in UAE

Whenever a business operates, claiming for VAT returns turns out to be a mandate. Realizing this, recently the GCC countries have entered into the agreement of implementing VAT and agreed to initiate the implementation by 1^st Jan 2018 with a tax-rate levied at 5%. Being registered under the VAT law defines that your business is recognized by the government. Now, in order to ease the process, certain categorization has been made similar to that of an income-tax slab, there exists a VAT slab VAT payment. Let’s have a glance at it.

Slabs for VAT Registration in UAE

Businesses having taxable supplies and imports above AED 375,000	Mandated to apply for VAT registration
Businesses having taxable supplies and imports between AED 187,500 and 375,000	Can voluntarily apply for VAT registration
Businesses having taxable supplies and imports less than AED 187,500	Not required to apply for VAT registration

VAT in UAE 2018

UAE, the heart of the business center at a global reach have also gone through several changes in the taxation system in the year 2018. The emirate was known as a business center because it offers multiple trade-free zones. VAT in UAE was a turning point to the taxation system in the emirate. Being one of the seven Emirates of UAE the tax rate of 5% is applicable for consumption goods.

VAT Record Keeping

Maintaining VAT records is done for tracking up-to-date information regarding VAT filing and to avoid unnecessary tax payment. Any company registered under VAT Law shall maintain its book of records for a minimum period of 5 years. The core essentials of this book include:

• Sales and purchase invoice
• Debit and credit notes
• Import and export notes
• Accounting books
• Zero-rated supplies and purchase
• Goods issued for private use

What is a Tax Registration Number (TRN) and How to Obtain It in UAE or in the Rest of the UAE?

Tax Registration Number, or TRN, is a 15-digit number allotted to business entities that complete the application process and register under the VAT law. It can be regarded as the identification number for the registration of VAT with Federal Tax Authority (FTA).

A business entity in UAE or the rest of UAE has to go through VAT registration process in the e-portal launched by FTA (www.tax.gov.ae). In order to obtain the TRN, the company has to submit the application along with the copy of essential documents like trade license, share certificates, MOA and AOA, Power of Attorney (if any), passport and Emirates ID of the shareholders and managers, customs registration documents, financial information such as revenue/turnover break-up for last 12 months, etc.

Business Impact of VAT

Since VAT is an additional charge that needs to be paid, it has certain impacts on the business front. Let’s have a look where it impacts the most:

1. Management

The changes or implementation of VAT will be having an effect on company structure, dealing with customers and suppliers will turn out to be crucial.

2. Finance

The financial front will definitely be impacted since it would deal with the cash flow and proper allocation of cash to minimize the cash outflow.

3. Operations

Business processes and functions are to be made VAT-ready before the implementation takes place.

4. Economics

Business relations are impacted by both the suppliers and customers’ side.

Thus, you have seen the various impacts that VAT have on the different segments of a business entity. Now, it becomes extremely important to manage the VAT books in a proper way so as to avoid any mishaps. At this crucial point, a VAT consultant is what you need. A VAT consultant would help you deal with the best possible way to prepare the VAT structure that eases out the entire VAT filing process. Are you confused about choosing the best VAT consultancy in UAE? Well, the answer to your query lies in the next step.

Alriyadah VAT Consultancy Services

At Alriyadah, we understand the business complexities ranging from accounting, taxation and VAT services. We provide the best VAT consultancy services in UAE, which include:

• VAT compliance and control
• Filing and payment
• Data recording and management
• Accounting
• Supplier management
• Customer management

Why Alriyadah?

Alriyadah is a platform that has been dealing in providing accounting and taxation services to start-ups and established businesses at a global level. We have a large number of satisfied clients at a global reach ranging from small and medium to multi-national businesses. We have been providing one of the best VAT consultancy services in UAE. If you are looking for a VAT consultant, you can count on us. To initiate your steps towards VAT filing, do contact us – we’d be glad to assist you.

FAQs

Is there any separate treatment of VAT for free zone companies?

The FTA has issued a list of Designated Zones in the UAE, and only the free zones that are announced as Designated Zones shall follow special provisions, as published by the FTA. A Designated Zone has special treatment for supply of goods, for instance, supply of goods within a Designated Zone shall be treated as out of scope – with no VAT applicable. But services supplied by Designated Zone companies are in the same line as for Mainland Companies, and shall follow the same rules as applicable for a Mainland Company, i.e., normally taxed at 5% unless exempt or zero-rated.

What is the deadline for VAT return filing and payment? Are the dates for payment and return different?

The deadlines for VAT return filing and payment are specified in the TRN Certificate, and these are either monthly or quarterly based. The due date for submission of VAT return and payment of due tax is the 28th day after the tax period closing (monthly or quarterly).

Does one need to keep mandatory books of account for VAT?

Yes, a registrant has to keep relevant books of accounts and records, as specified by the VAT Law. And these should be kept for a period ranging from 5-15 years.

What do you mean by the recipient of goods?

Recipient of goods refers to a person or business entity to whom goods are supplied or who imports.

What is tax evasion?

Tax evasion is an illegal practice of lowering the amount of tax due to the federal authority.

What is recoverable tax?

It states that the tax amount that has been paid by a taxpayer can be repaid by the authority to the provisions of the decree-law.

What is the tax credit note?

A tax-credit note is a document that is issued by a supplier to its customers stating a deduction on the original price in respect of the goods or services supplied.