VAT and Tax Consultancy Services
The UAE tax environment has developed considerably in recent years, making accurate tax compliance and informed advice an increasingly important part of doing business in the country.
NHBC provides professional AT services and tax consultancy in Dubai and across the UAE, supporting start-ups, SMEs, international companies, investors and corporate groups with their ongoing tax requirements.
From VAT registration and return preparation to tax reviews, transaction advice and support with Federal Tax Authority matters, our focus is on helping clients understand their obligations, identify potential risks and remain compliant as their business develops.
Where specialist legal, international tax or formal representation is required, we work together with appropriately qualified external professionals.
Value Added Tax was introduced in the UAE in 2018 and is generally charged at a standard rate of 5%, although certain supplies are zero-rated, exempt or outside the scope of VAT depending on the circumstances.
For VAT-registered businesses, accurate accounting and correct treatment of transactions are essential. Errors in VAT treatment can affect not only the VAT return itself but also invoicing, pricing, cash flow and the ability to recover input VAT.
Our VAT services can include:
VAT Registration in the UAE
For UAE businesses, mandatory VAT registration generally applies where taxable supplies and imports exceed AED 375,000 during the previous 12 months or are expected to exceed that amount within the following 30 days.
Voluntary registration may generally be available where taxable supplies, imports or taxable expenses exceed AED 187,500. Different rules can apply to non-resident businesses, which may have a UAE VAT registration obligation irrespective of the normal registration threshold where they make taxable supplies in the UAE and no other party is responsible for accounting for the VAT.
NHBC can review your activities and turnover to determine whether registration is required or appropriate and coordinate the VAT registration process with the Federal Tax Authority.
VAT Return Preparation & Filing
Once registered for VAT, businesses must submit VAT returns for the tax periods assigned by the Federal Tax Authority. VAT returns and any related VAT payment are generally due within 28 days following the end of the relevant tax period. Before preparing a return, we review the underlying financial information and relevant VAT treatment, including:
Our objective is not simply to submit the VAT return, but to ensure that the figures reported are supported by the underlying accounting records and documentation.
VAT Reviews
A VAT return can be filed successfully while still containing incorrect tax treatments. Periodic VAT reviews can therefore help identify issues before they develop into larger compliance problems.
NHBC can review areas such as:
Where errors are identified, we can advise on the appropriate corrective process and, where relevant, assist with the preparation of a voluntary disclosure.
Tax Consultancy Services
Not every tax question arises at the time a return is filed.
Business owners frequently need to understand the tax consequences of a transaction, restructuring or new activity before proceeding.
Our UAE tax consultancy services can assist with matters such as:
Where a matter involves international taxation, legal interpretation or another jurisdiction, we coordinate with the client’s existing advisers or specialized external professionals.
Detailed UAE Corporate Tax compliance, registration, calculations and filings are covered separately under our dedicated Corporate Tax Services.
FTA Queries, Reviews & Tax Matters
Businesses may occasionally receive requests for information, clarification or documentation from the Federal Tax Authority.
NHBC can assist clients in reviewing the issue, gathering the relevant accounting and tax documentation and preparing an appropriate response.
Depending on the matter, this can include:
This distinction is important: certain formal procedures before the FTA can only be undertaken by the taxpayer itself or an appropriately authorised representative.
For example, the FTA confirms that a reconsideration request may be submitted by the concerned person, an appointed Tax Agent or a Legal Representative, while a tax adviser who is not a registered Tax Agent cannot submit such a request on another person’s behalf.
UAE eInvoicing Readiness
The UAE is introducing a national electronic invoicing system, creating an additional compliance consideration for businesses operating in the country.
Under the current phased implementation programme, mandatory eInvoicing begins for certain businesses from 2027, with different implementation dates depending on annual revenue. The system covers in-scope business-to-business and business-to-government transactions and requires businesses to work through an Accredited Service Provider.
NHBC can assist businesses in assessing their readiness for the new requirements and coordinating their accounting, invoicing and tax processes accordingly.
Integrated Tax & Accounting Support
Tax compliance is only as reliable as the underlying financial information.
Because NHBC also provides Accounting, Bookkeeping and Financial Reporting Services, our tax team can work directly with the financial records supporting VAT returns and other tax positions.
This integrated approach helps reduce inconsistencies between accounting records, tax filings and supporting documentation.
Clients can engage NHBC for a specific VAT or tax matter or combine these services with their wider accounting and financial requirements.
Why Businesses Choose NHBC
We explain tax requirements in clear commercial terms and focus on how they affect your actual business.
We aim to identify potential issues before they result in unnecessary penalties, disputes or corrections.
Our accounting, bookkeeping and tax teams work together, reducing the disconnect that can occur when different providers manage each area separately.
We regularly work with internationally owned UAE companies and understand the additional considerations that arise when businesses operate across several jurisdictions.
For matters requiring specialist legal, international tax or regulated professional advice, we work alongside appropriately qualified external advisers.
