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UAE VAT Returns& Refunds
Quarterly VAT returns prepared from your books, reconciled and filed on EmaraTax on time, with refund claims raised and tracked when you are owed VAT.
- Quarterly Returns
- 28-Day Deadline
- Input Tax Review
- Refund Claims
- EmaraTax Filing
Published Updated
Returns Filed on Time, Every Period
UAE VAT returns are filed on EmaraTax within 28 days of the end of each tax period, usually quarterly. Output tax on sales is set against recoverable input tax on costs, and any balance is paid or claimed back.
A return is only as good as the records behind it. We take your sales and purchase records, check that VAT has been charged and recovered correctly, reconcile the figures to your accounts and file before the deadline. Where you are in a refund position, we prepare the claim and follow it through with the FTA.
How VAT Return Filing Works
Six steps each tax period.
- 01
Records Collected
Sales and purchase invoices, import documents and bank statements gathered for the period.
- 02
Output Tax Review
Sales classified as standard-rated, zero-rated, exempt or out of scope, with VAT checked on each.
- 03
Input Tax Review
VAT on costs checked for valid tax invoices and recoverability, with blocked items excluded.
- 04
Reconciliation
Return figures reconciled to your accounting records before anything is filed.
- 05
Filing & Payment
Return filed on EmaraTax within 28 days of the period end, and payment made by the same date.
- 06
Refund Claims
Where input tax exceeds output tax, a refund claim is prepared and tracked to settlement.
What You Need to Provide
Records needed for each VAT return.
- Sales invoices and credit notes for the period
- Purchase invoices and supplier credit notes
- Import and customs declarations
- Bank statements for the period
- Details of any goods or services imported from abroad
- Access to your accounting system, if used
Why Use TMFS for VAT Returns
Regular returns are where small errors become expensive.
Every return filed before the 28-day deadline
Input tax recovered wherever it is allowed
Blocked input tax kept out of claims
Reverse charge on imports applied correctly
Returns reconciled to your books every period
Refund claims prepared and tracked
Errors caught before the FTA finds them
Corporate Tax figures kept consistent
The TMFS Advantage
What sets our VAT return work apart.
Books First
Returns built from properly kept books, not from a spreadsheet assembled at the deadline.
Input Tax Recovery
Every eligible input tax claim captured, and ineligible ones kept out.
On-Time Filing
Deadlines tracked for you, every period.
Refund Support
Refund claims prepared and followed up until the money arrives.
Clear Workpapers
Each return backed by workpapers that show how the figures were reached.
Error Correction
Past errors corrected through voluntary disclosure where needed.
Why Businesses Choose TMFS for VAT Returns
Three things clients mention most.
Accurate returns
Figures checked and reconciled before every filing.
Never late
Returns and payments made before the deadline, every quarter.
Money back where due
Input tax recovered properly and refunds chased to the end.
What Clients Say
Feedback from founders who set up with TMFS.
UAE VAT Returns: Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about filing UAE VAT returns.
How often do I file VAT returns?
Most businesses file quarterly. The FTA can assign a monthly cycle to larger businesses. Returns are due within 28 days of the end of each tax period.
Can I claim back VAT on business expenses?
Yes, where the costs relate to taxable supplies and you hold a valid tax invoice. VAT on some items, such as certain entertainment and personal-use costs, is blocked.
What if I make a mistake in a return?
Errors can be corrected. Small errors may be fixed in a later return; others need a voluntary disclosure. Correcting errors yourself usually attracts lower penalties than errors the FTA finds.
How do VAT refunds work?
If your input tax is more than your output tax, you can carry the credit forward or apply for a refund. We prepare the claim and track it with the FTA.
What happens if I file or pay late?
The FTA charges administrative penalties for late returns and late payment. We track every deadline so this doesn’t happen.
Do I need accounting software?
Not necessarily, but your records must be complete and kept for at least five years. Software makes returns faster and more reliable.
Sources & official references
Federal Tax Authority (FTA) · Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017 (VAT) · Federal Decree-Law No. 28 of 2022 (Tax Procedures)
Verification & independence
Prepared from publicly available guidance from the Federal Tax Authority and UAE federal law as of October 2026. Time Machine Financial Services is independent of the Federal Tax Authority and is not affiliated with or acting for any UAE government authority.
VAT return rules, deadlines and refund procedures change. Confirm the current position for your situation with the Federal Tax Authority, or ask us, before acting on this page.
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Tell us what you need and a consultant will reply within one working day, with no obligation.
- The consultant you speak to stays on your file
- A straight answer on structure, cost and timeline
- A reply within one working day
- A free 20-minute consultation
Need VAT Returns Handled?
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