Live from FTA
CEPAUAE-India: revised customs schedule effective 1 August
MoFPublishes updated Transfer Pricing guidelines
VATRegistration threshold reminder: AED 375,000 mandatory
CircularNew FTA circular on Free Zone Qualifying Income issued
FTACorporate Tax return deadline for June year end filers, 31 March 2027
CEPAUAE-India: revised customs schedule effective 1 August
MoFPublishes updated Transfer Pricing guidelines
VATRegistration threshold reminder: AED 375,000 mandatory
CircularNew FTA circular on Free Zone Qualifying Income issued
FTACorporate Tax return deadline for June year end filers, 31 March 2027

VAT Services · UAE

VAT compliance that is accurate and defensible.

VAT registration, return filing, refund support, voluntary disclosures, health checks and FTA audit assistance for UAE businesses.

20+Years advising
400+Active clients
IFRSCompliant reporting
ACCAChartered practice
Corporate TaxSep 10, 2026

Free Zone Qualifying Income: what actually qualifies under the June 2026 update.

The Ministry's clarification narrows the definition of "qualifying activities" and reintroduces substance thresholds. Here's the practical practical explanation for holding structures.

Read the briefing →
Overview

End-to-end UAE VAT compliance and advisory support

VAT affects contracts, invoicing, imports, exports, free-zone movements, expenses and cash flow. Errors often begin in operational processes and appear later in the return, which is why effective VAT compliance combines technical analysis with accounting controls.

CBM Consultants reviews the transaction flow behind the numbers, prepares return reconciliations and documents material treatments. Our support is tailored to Mainland, Free Zone, Designated Zone, group and cross border activities.

Important: This page provides general information. The correct treatment depends on the specific facts and the law and official guidance applicable at the relevant time.

Scope of support

What our engagement can cover

01

VAT registration, amendment and deregistration

Assess mandatory or voluntary registration, taxable supplies, group structures and required evidence; prepare and track applications.

02

VAT return preparation and filing

Reconcile output tax, input tax, imports, reverse charge, adjustments and prior-period positions before preparing the return.

03

VAT health checks

Test invoices, tax codes, place-of-supply treatments, zero-rating evidence, blocked input tax and reconciliation controls.

04

Voluntary disclosures and corrections

Quantify errors, assess the appropriate correction route, prepare evidence and support the disclosure process.

05

VAT refunds

Review eligibility, reconcile refund amounts and prepare the supporting file for FTA review.

06

FTA audit and information-request support

Organise records, explain treatments, reconcile submissions and coordinate responses within agreed deadlines.

Key considerations

What should be assessed before action is taken

Registration scope

Turnover, related entities, business activities and taxable-person structure determine the correct registration position.

Evidence for zero rating

Exports and other zero-rated supplies require the prescribed conditions and documentary support.

Reverse charge and imports

Customs, import and overseas-service data should reconcile to the VAT return and accounting ledger.

Free Zone treatment

A Free Zone is not automatically a Designated Zone, and special rules are limited to defined circumstances.

How we work

A controlled process with clear ownership

01

Review

Understand activities, registrations, tax periods, systems and prior filings.

02

Reconcile

Tie sales, purchases, imports, tax accounts and return boxes to supporting schedules.

03

Resolve

Investigate exceptions and agree corrections or disclosures.

04

Approve and file

Provide a review pack, obtain approval and submit within the agreed authority.

05

Retain and improve

Archive evidence and strengthen the next-period control process.

Typical deliverables

Defined outputs, agreed before work begins

  • VAT registration or amendment file
  • Return computation and reconciliation pack
  • VAT health-check report
  • Voluntary disclosure support schedule
  • Refund evidence file
  • FTA audit-response support
Why CBMC

Connected advice, built on reconciled information

Our engagements connect the accounting record with tax, audit, governance and commercial reporting. A named senior contact coordinates the work, material positions are documented and issues are raised early enough for management to act.

Where another licensed or jurisdiction-specific adviser is required, we identify the dependency and coordinate the information needed for that work.

Frequently asked questions

Questions clients ask before engaging us

When is VAT registration mandatory?

The registration position depends on taxable supplies and imports, applicable thresholds, residence and the prescribed measurement period. A current assessment should be made using FTA rules.

Is every Free Zone outside UAE VAT?

No. Free Zones generally remain within the UAE VAT framework. Limited special treatment may apply to qualifying transactions in a Designated Zone.

Can input VAT always be recovered?

No. Recovery depends on business use, valid evidence, timing and restrictions in the VAT legislation.

What if a previously filed return contains an error?

The value and nature of the error determine the proper correction route. It should be quantified and documented before action is taken.

What records should be retained?

Invoices, credit notes, import and export evidence, contracts, ledgers, calculations and other supporting records relevant to the reported treatment.

Related support

Continue with the relevant service

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Book a 30 minute consultation to discuss your accounting, tax or business requirements. If we are not the right fit, we'll say so and point you to someone who is.