FTA Decision No. 17 of 2026: When Can You Recover Input VAT on Employee Expenses?
You can recover input VAT on employee expenses in the UAE, but only in six defined cases, and only when every condition for that case is met. Federal Tax Authority (FTA) Decision No. 17 of 2026 was issued on 9 September 2026 and takes effect on 1 October 2026. It covers employee transport, food and […]
UAE VAT Is Moving into Its Next Phase of Operational Discipline
Cabinet Decision No. 149 of 2026 changes more than technical wording – it affects employee benefits, input tax recovery, composite supplies, healthcare, capital assets, and the way mixed-use VAT will eventually be apportioned. The UAE VAT framework continues to mature. Cabinet Decision No. 149 of 2026 introduces a series of amendments to the VAT Executive Regulations, most […]
VATP046 Explained: What the UAE’s VAT Law Amendments Mean for Your Business
The UAE Federal Tax Authority’s Public Clarification VATP046 confirms six changes to the VAT Law that businesses need to act on now, not just be aware of. Some of these changes have already been in effect since 30 October 2024. Others took effect on 1 January 2026. VATP046 brings both sets of amendments together in […]
VATP045 Explained: What the UAE’s Concerned Goods VAT Clarification Means for Your Business
The Federal Tax Authority issued VAT Public Clarification VATP045 on 26 August 2026, and it only applies to one specific situation: goods you imported into the UAE from outside the country on or before 31 December 2025. If your business only started importing goods this year, VATP045 doesn’t change anything for you. If it imported […]
From Wallet to VAT Return: The UAE’s New Digital Currency Conversion Framework
The UAE’s New Digital Currency VAT Conversion Framework The UAE has standardised how digital currencies are converted into AED for VAT. For businesses, the real change is not the formula-it is the need to produce a defensible rate, timestamp, and audit trail for every relevant transaction. Accepting digital currency may feel like a payment decision. For VAT […]
The VAT Is Personal. The Compliance Chain Is Commercial
The UAE has widened VAT relief for Emiratis building new homes. The refund goes to the homeowner-but the implications reach contractors, consultants, suppliers and the wider residential construction ecosystem. A swimming pool. Landscaping. A smart security system. Staff accommodation—a home gym. Until recently, these may not have been the first items associated with a VAT refund for […]
FTA Decision No. 13 of 2026: What UAE Businesses Must Do Before Claiming VAT Input Tax
Starting 1 October 2026, UAE businesses will need documented proof that they checked their suppliers and the supplies they received before claiming VAT input tax. This requirement comes from Federal Tax Authority Decision No. 13 of 2026, issued on 22 July 2026, which sets out exactly how taxable persons must verify supplier identity, business legitimacy, […]
Five-Year Expiry on VAT Credit Refunds Now Live, With Transitional Window from 1 January 2026
A New Deadline for UAE Businesses The UAE has introduced a major change to its VAT refund rules. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 16 of 2025, effective 1 January 2026, businesses now have five years to claim excess VAT credits. This is the first time the UAE has introduced a statutory time limit for claiming refundable VAT […]
VAT Registration & Filing in UAE Complete Guide for Dubai Businesses (2026)
The UAE introduced Value Added Tax in January 2018 — and seven years later, thousands of businesses still make costly mistakes that trigger FTA penalties averaging AED 10,000 or more per violation. Whether you’re a startup searching for the fastest path to UAE VAT registration online or an established company that needs expert VAT advisory […]