VAT Return Filing Services in the UAE
Your VAT 201 return is due 28 days after each tax period ends. We reconcile the numbers behind it, file it on EmaraTax and make sure what you pay matches your books.
- VAT 201Return form
- 28 days after period endDue
- QuarterlyUsual period
- AED 1,000Late filing
How it works in the UAE
Filing is the easy part. The work is in the numbers: checking that every sale is coded at the right rate, that input VAT is only claimed on valid tax invoices, that reverse charge imports are reported both ways and that credit notes are picked up in the right period.
We prepare each return from your ledger, reconcile it to sales and purchase reports and flag anything that could trigger an FTA query before it is submitted. If you are on our bookkeeping service the return is built straight from the books we maintain.
What the service includes
VAT return preparation
We prepare the VAT 201 return from your sales, purchases and import data each period.
VAT calculation and review
Output and input VAT are checked line by line for rate, place of supply and recoverability.
FTA VAT filing
We submit the return on EmaraTax and send you the payment reference and due date.
Financial record verification
Return figures are reconciled to your general ledger and bank statements.
VAT adjustment support
Bad debt relief, credit notes, capital asset adjustments and corrections of past errors.
FTA query assistance
If the FTA asks about a return, we prepare the reply and supporting schedules.
Who it is for
- VAT registered businesses without an in house tax specialist
- Companies that have missed or filed late returns
- Businesses with imports, exports or zero rated sales
- Groups filing as a VAT tax group
How we work with you
Data collection
You share sales, purchase and import records, or we take them from the books we keep.
Review
We check rates, invoices and adjustments and list any issues.
Approval
You approve the draft return and payable amount.
Filing and payment
We file on EmaraTax before the deadline and confirm the payment reference.
Documents we usually need
- Sales and purchase registers for the period
- Tax invoices and credit notes
- Customs import declarations
- Bank statements
- Previous VAT returns
We confirm the exact list after a short review, as requirements vary by authority and case.
VAT filing penalties
| Violation | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Late VAT return | AED 1,000 first time, AED 2,000 for a repeat within 24 months |
| Late payment of VAT | 14% a year, charged monthly on the unpaid amount (from 14 April 2026) |
| Incorrect return not fixed in time | AED 500 |
| Voluntary disclosure of an error | 1% of the tax difference for each month |
Source: Cabinet Decision No. 40 of 2017 on administrative penalties, as amended by Cabinet Decision No. 129 of 2025 (in force 14 April 2026). Checked November 2026. Rules change, so we confirm the position for your case.
Questions we hear often
When is a UAE VAT return due?
Both the return and any VAT payable are due by the 28th day after the end of the tax period. Most businesses file quarterly; the FTA sets your period when you register.
What if I have no sales in a period?
You still have to file a return. A nil return avoids the late filing penalty.
Can I correct a mistake in a filed return?
Errors of more than AED 10,000 in tax need a voluntary disclosure. Smaller errors can be corrected in the next return. We work out which applies.
What does it cost to file late?
AED 1,000 for the first late return and AED 2,000 for a repeat within 24 months, plus 14% a year on any late payment.
Do you work with my existing accountant?
Yes. We can take data from your accountant or your accounting software and handle the VAT side only.
Related services
Get a fixed quote for vat return filing
Tell us a little about your business. We will reply within one business day with what is needed, the timeline and a fixed fee.
- Straight answers from qualified accountants and tax agents
- Fixed fees agreed before we start
- Office in Al Fahidi, Dubai, and support across the UAE
An adviser will be in touch shortly. For anything urgent, message us on WhatsApp or call +971 56 505 9557.