VAT Registration Services In the UAE
VAT registration in the UAE is a legal requirement for businesses whose taxable supplies and imports exceed AED 375,000 in any 12-month period — or are expected to exceed this within the next 30 days. Failure to register on time results in an AED 10,000 penalty from the Federal Tax Authority (FTA).
MBG Corporate Services manages the full VAT registration process in the UAE — from eligibility assessment and document preparation to EmaraTax portal submission and TRN issuance — for mainland companies, free zone entities, branches, and non-residents across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and all UAE emirates.
VAT Registration Thresholds In The UAE
Understanding which threshold applies to your business determines whether registration is mandatory, voluntary, or not yet required.
Mandatory VAT Registration
Your business must register for VAT if:
- Taxable supplies and imports exceeded AED 375,000 in the past 12 months
- Taxable supplies and imports are expected to exceed AED 375,000 within the next 30 days
- You must apply within 30 days of crossing the threshold — late registration carries an AED 10,000 fine
Voluntary VAT Registration
Your business can choose to register voluntarily if:
- Taxable supplies, imports, or VAT-eligible expenses exceed AED 187,500 in the past 12 months
- Expected to exceed AED 187,500 in the next 30 days
- Voluntary registration allows input tax recovery—beneficial for businesses with significant VAT on expenses
Non-Resident VAT Registration
Non-residents making taxable supplies in the UAE are required to register for VAT regardless of turnover threshold—unless a UAE-registered person is responsible for accounting for the VAT under the Reverse Charge Mechanism. No threshold applies to non-residents.
Who Needs VAT Registration In the UAE?
- New companies — businesses that have recently set up in the UAE and expect to cross the mandatory threshold within 30 days of commencing operations
- Established mainland businesses — companies whose taxable turnover has exceeded or is approaching AED 375,000
- Free zone companies—free zone entities making taxable supplies to the UAE mainland are required to register for VAT
- Branch offices—UAE branches of foreign companies making taxable supplies must register independently
- Non-residents — foreign businesses supplying goods or services in the UAE with no UAE-registered counterpart to account for VAT
- VAT groups — two or more related UAE businesses can apply for VAT group registration, filing a single consolidated return
Documents Required For VAT Registration In The UAE
All documents must be uploaded in PDF format through the EmaraTax portal. Required documents include:
- Valid trade licence (mainland or free zone)
- Passport copies and Emirates ID of all owners and authorised signatories
- Certificate of incorporation or Memorandum of Association (MOA)
- Official business address and contact details
- Bank account details and IBAN confirmation letter
- Financial statements or declaration of annual turnover
- Customs registration number (for importing businesses)
- Supporting documents for non-residents — parent company documents, proof of supply in UAE
Missing or incorrect documents are the most common reason for VAT registration delays. MBG reviews all documentation before submission to avoid rejection.
How To Register For VAT In The UAE — Step by Step
VAT registration in the UAE is processed entirely online through the FTA’s EmaraTax portal. Processing takes up to 20 business days from submission of a complete application.
- Step 1: Access EmaraTax — log in or create a new account at the FTA’s EmaraTax platform
- Step 2: Create a Taxable Person Profile — set up your business profile on the dashboard
- Step 3: Select VAT Registration — choose Register under the Value Added Tax section
- Step 4: Complete the application form — provide business activity details, financial information, and registration basis (mandatory or voluntary)
- Step 5: Upload all required documents — all files in PDF format, matching the application details exactly
- Step 6: Submit and await FTA review — processing takes up to 20 business days. Your Tax Registration Number (TRN) is issued upon approval
VAT Registration By Emirate
MBG provides VAT registration services across all UAE emirates:
- VAT registration in Dubai — mainland DED companies, free zones (DMCC, JAFZA, DIFC, DTEC, and others)
- VAT registration in Abu Dhabi — mainland ADDED companies, free zones (ADGM, KIZAD, Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone)
- VAT registration in Sharjah — mainland SEDD companies, SAIF Zone, Sharjah Media City, Hamriyah Free Zone
- VAT registration in Business Bay — mainland and free zone entities in the Business Bay jurisdiction
- VAT registration across remaining emirates — RAK, Fujairah, Ajman, and Umm Al Quwain—mainland and free zone
VAT De-Registration In The UAE
VAT de-registration allows businesses to cancel their Tax Registration Number (TRN) when they no longer meet the mandatory registration threshold or have ceased taxable activities.
When Can You Apply for VAT De-registration?
- Taxable supplies have fallen below AED 375,000 and are not expected to exceed AED 187,500 in the next 12 months
- The business has ceased making taxable supplies entirely
- The business has been dissolved or liquidated
VAT De-registration Process
- Application submitted through the EmaraTax portal
- FTA reviews outstanding VAT returns and liabilities before approving de-registration
- All pending VAT returns must be filed and liabilities settled before the TRN is cancelled
- Failure to apply for de-registration when required results in continued filing obligations and penalties
MBG manages the full VAT de-registration process—ensuring all returns are filed, liabilities are cleared, and the TRN is formally cancelled without disruption.
VAT Group Registration in the UAE
Two or more UAE-resident businesses under common ownership or control can apply for VAT group registration — filing a single consolidated VAT return as one taxable person. Benefits include:
- Intra-group supplies between group members are outside the scope of VAT
- Simplified VAT compliance — one return, one TRN for the group
- Improved cash flow management within the group
VAT group registration has specific eligibility requirements. MBG assesses group structure and advises on the most efficient registration approach before application.
How MBG’s VAT Registration Services Work?
- Eligibility assessment — we confirm whether mandatory, voluntary, or group registration applies to your business
- Document preparation and review — we prepare and review all required documents before submission to avoid rejection
- EmaraTax portal submission — we manage the full online application process on your behalf
- FTA follow-up and query resolution — we liaise with the FTA on any queries raised during the review period
- TRN confirmation and post-registration support — we confirm TRN issuance and advise on next steps including VAT return filing obligations
Why Choose MBG For VAT Registration In The UAE?
Missing your VAT registration deadline costs AED 10,000. Speak to MBG’s VAT team to confirm your registration requirement and get your TRN issued without delays.
