VAT Refunds

If your VAT return shows a VAT credit (more input VAT than output VAT), you may be eligible to submit a VAT refund request in the UAE—but only when the numbers reconcile and the evidence is complete. Our VAT refund services UAE help you prepare an FTA-ready refund file, submit the request correctly, and respond to follow-up questions without guesswork.

What you get (high intent, practical):

• A reconciled VAT refund working file (books → VAT return → supporting documents)
• A clean VAT refund claim UAE evidence pack (invoices, imports/exports, credit notes, payments)
• Support with FTA portal submission and clarification handling (no guarantees—just disciplined preparation)
  
  

VAT Refund in the UAE: When You Can Claim (and When You Shouldn’t)

A VAT refund is not “free money.” It’s a request to recover excess VAT supported by documents and a consistent audit trail. In many cases, businesses can either carry forward VAT credit or apply for a refund—depending on their position and cash-flow priorities.

Common scenarios where businesses request VAT refunds

You may see refundable VAT where you have:

• High input VAT (rent, setup costs, professional fees, marketing) and low output VAT
• Zero-rated supplies / exports creating consistent input VAT credits
• Large capital expenditure (fit-out, equipment) leading to temporary VAT credits
• Seasonal revenue cycles (e.g., project-based businesses)
• A one-off event (bulk inventory purchase, warehouse setup)
  
  

VAT refund vs VAT credit carry forward 

• Carry forward: you keep the VAT credit and offset it against future VAT payable.
• Refund request: you ask the FTA to refund the credit (subject to review).
  
  

Quick self-check before you apply

Ask these three questions first:

1. Do your VAT return figures reconcile to your accounting records?
2. Do you have valid supporting documents for your input VAT claims?
3. Can you explain any unusual movements (credit notes, adjustments, imports/exports)?

If any answer is “no,” the refund request usually turns into delays, repeated clarifications, or a rejected claim.

VAT Refund Claim Process UAE: Practical Steps (FTA Portal Ready)

A strong VAT refund submission is a process, not a form.

Step-by-step VAT refund request workflow

1. Confirm eligibility and refund amount (based on VAT returns and ledgers)
2. Build the VAT refund working file (return → ledgers → evidence)
3. Prepare the evidence pack (invoices, credit notes, customs, export docs, payments)
4. Submit the refund request through the FTA portal (EmaraTax)
5. Handle follow-up questions with clear, indexed documents
6. Close the loop: update records and improve controls for next period
   
   

Why most VAT refund requests fail (what we fix)

• Refund figure doesn’t match the VAT control accounts
• Missing supplier tax invoices or unreadable scans
• Weak export/zero-rated evidence
• Credit notes not linked to original invoices and periods
• Manual adjustments with no support
  
  

Documents Required for VAT Refund Services UAE (Evidence Checklist)

To support a refund claim, the FTA typically expects you to show “what happened” and “prove it.” That means documents and traceability.

Sales-side documents (output VAT and zero-rating support)

• Tax invoices and credit notes issued
• Customer contracts/POs where relevant
• Evidence for zero-rated/exempt treatment (where applicable)
  
  

Purchase-side documents (input VAT supporting documents UAE)

• Supplier tax invoices (valid, readable, properly dated)
• Expense receipts and approvals where relevant
• Payment evidence (bank entries, references) where needed
  
  

Imports/exports and cross-border documents (if applicable)

• Customs import declarations and related documents
• Shipping docs (AWB/BL), delivery proof
• Export evidence pack linked to invoices (especially for zero-rated supplies)
  
  

Refund file structure we recommend (simple and scalable)

• Folder 01: VAT return filed + VAT report
• Folder 02: VAT working file + reconciliations
• Folder 03: Sales invoices + credit notes (indexed)
• Folder 04: Purchase invoices + receipts (indexed)
• Folder 05: Imports/exports evidence (if applicable)
• Folder 06: Adjustments + explanations (memos)
  
  

This is what makes your refund claim defendable and easier to respond to.

What Our VAT Refund Services UAE Include (End-to-End Support)

We focus on outcomes: a refund request that is consistent, supported, and easy to explain.

VAT refund readiness review (before submission)

We review your VAT position and identify issues that typically cause refund delays:

• return-to-ledger reconciliation gaps
• high-risk input VAT categories
• weak documentation or missing credit note trails
• export evidence gaps (where relevant)
  
  

VAT reconciliation UAE + refund working file preparation

We prepare a structured working file that ties:

• VAT return totals
• sales/purchase registers
• VAT control accounts
• supporting documents
  
  

Submission support + FTA clarification handling

We support submission through the portal and help you respond to follow-up questions with:

• indexed evidence packs
• clean explanations aligned to the records
• correction actions if errors are discovered (without over-promising outcomes)
  
  

Controls to avoid repeat issues (refund-ready monthly routine)

We help you set up a light monthly routine so you don’t rebuild the file from scratch every time:

• document capture rules
• invoice/credit note discipline
• periodic reconciliation checkpoints
• exception tracking (missing invoices, unclear VAT treatment)
  
  

Typical Timelines and What Delays VAT Refunds in the UAE

Refund timelines vary based on your industry, the quality of your records, and whether the FTA requests clarifications. We do not promise timelines—but we can help you avoid the most common delay drivers.

What usually causes delays or rejections

• Missing or non-compliant supplier tax invoices
• Poor VAT reconciliation (refund amount not supported by accounts)
• Unclear export/zero-rated evidence
• Credit notes and adjustments not properly documented
• Incomplete answers to clarification questions
  
  

How to reduce delays (realistic actions)

• Submit only after the return is reconciled to ledgers
• Keep a single indexed evidence pack per VAT period
• Document “why” for unusual entries (memos, schedules, approvals)
• Fix repeat errors at source (templates, SOPs, system rules)
  
  

Who We Help with VAT Refund Claims (UAE)

Trading and distribution businesses

High purchase volumes and imports often create refundable VAT positions—if records are clean.

Services and professional firms

Often claim refunds during setup phases or low-revenue periods when input VAT is higher.

E-commerce and marketplace sellers

Refund claims depend heavily on clean platform reports, payment gateway settlements, refunds/returns evidence, and shipping/export documentation.

Businesses with “VAT backlog” or messy records

If your historical records are incomplete, we can scope a cleanup and rebuild before submission (quoted separately based on effort).

Pricing Approach for VAT Refund Services UAE

We price VAT refund support based on complexity and effort, not a generic flat fee.

What pricing depends on

• Transaction volume (sales + purchases)
• Complexity (imports/exports, multiple revenue streams, adjustments)
• Document quality and completeness
• Whether backlog cleanup and reconciliations are required
• Number of VAT periods in scope
  
  

Typical engagement options (indicative)

• Refund Readiness Review: focused diagnostic + document checklist
• Refund Submission Support: working file + evidence pack + submission guidance
  
  

Full Refund Project: multi-period cleanup + reconciliation + query handling
Final quote is confirmed after scoping. No fixed promises on outcomes or timelines.