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UAE VAT is 5%, but getting it right on every invoice, purchase and import takes careful setup. We configure your ERP so VAT is calculated, recorded and reported consistently.
A VAT-ready ERP in the UAE is one configured so the 5% standard rate, zero-rated exports, exempt supplies and reverse charge on imported services are applied correctly on every invoice, purchase and import. Tax codes, TRN fields and VAT return mapping must match what the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) expects for quarterly EmaraTax filing. Confirm treatments with your tax advisor.
VAT was introduced in the UAE on 1 January 2018 and is administered by the Federal Tax Authority (FTA). Businesses with taxable supplies above AED 375,000 must register, and those above AED 187,500 can register voluntarily. Returns are usually filed quarterly through EmaraTax.
The 5% standard rate is simple. The hard part is everything around it: zero-rated exports, exempt supplies, reverse charge on imported services, goods moving through designated zones, and making sure every tax invoice shows the right details. A single wrong default tax code on a product can quietly misstate a whole quarter.
We set up VAT in your ERP so the right treatment is applied by default, exceptions are visible, and the VAT return figures come straight from posted transactions rather than a separate spreadsheet.
The exact screens differ by platform, but these are the building blocks of a VAT-ready ERP in the UAE.
Standard-rated, zero-rated, exempt and out-of-scope codes, mapped to the correct VAT return lines and set as defaults on items, customers and suppliers.
Your TRN and your customer's TRN printed on tax invoices and credit notes, with validation so registered customers are not invoiced without one.
Imported services and relevant goods posted with both output and input VAT, so the reverse-charge entries appear correctly on the return.
Supplies tracked by emirate and by designated zone where relevant, so you can report sales per emirate and apply the treatment your advisor confirms.
Arabic and English invoice and credit note templates that show the details the FTA expects, in a layout your customers can read.
VAT 201-style return reports and, where the platform supports it, an FTA Audit File (FAF) export for audits and FTA requests.
We work through a list like this on every VAT setup or review.
Each of these supports UAE VAT through built-in localization, regional settings or configuration.
Choose a VAT-ready platform or get help setting one up.
On-site workshops in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, and remote or on-site delivery across the Northern Emirates and free zones.
Official sources and references
Facts on this page were checked against these sources in October 2026. Rules change, so confirm current requirements before acting.
Still have a question? Our consultants are happy to help.
Ask an ExpertYes. Zoho Books has a UAE edition with VAT tax codes, TRN fields, reverse charge and VAT return reports. We configure it to match your business and the treatment your advisor has confirmed.
Several platforms, including Zoho Books and Odoo with UAE localization, can produce an FTA Audit File or a similar export. Support varies by version and edition, so we check this during setup and fill gaps with custom reports where needed.
Many UAE businesses issue bilingual Arabic and English invoices, and the FTA can request Arabic translations of documents. Check the current requirement with your tax advisor. We can set up bilingual templates in any of the platforms we work with.
For purchases subject to reverse charge, the ERP posts output VAT and input VAT on the same transaction. Both amounts then appear in the right boxes of the VAT return report. We set up the tax codes and test them with sample transactions.
Yes. We review tax codes, item defaults and recent returns, correct the configuration and document what changed. Any corrections to past returns are a matter for you and your tax advisor.
Talk to us about setting up or reviewing VAT in your ERP.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
