VAT Advisory & Planning — Practical VAT guidance for UAE businesses
Tailored VAT advisory and planning services to help UAE businesses meet FTA requirements, reduce compliance risk, and optimize VAT cash flow and recoverability.
Overview
AL SAHRAA provides VAT advisory and planning focused on UAE regulations and practical outcomes for your business. We assess your transactions and supply chains to identify VAT exposures, opportunities for recovery, and filing implications. Our team performs a targeted compliance gap analysis and designs straightforward VAT policies that align with your accounting processes and commercial contracts. We explain actionable steps and estimated timelines so you can implement controls without disrupting operations. We advise on VAT treatment for complex supplies, cross-border transactions, exemptions and zero-rating, and assist with documentation and invoice requirements under UAE law. Where appropriate, we coordinate with your accounting team to adjust processes and improve VAT recoverability. We also offer ongoing support for changes in business activities or FTA guidance, helping you stay compliant and avoid costly corrections. Services are delivered with clear milestones and practical checklists to make execution simple for management and finance teams.
What to prepare
- Trade license and company incorporation documents
- Recent VAT registration certificate (if registered)
- Last 12 months of sales and purchase invoices
- Accounting records or financial statements
- Bank statements for VAT-relevant periods
- Contracts with suppliers and major customers
- Chart of accounts and VAT codes
- Previous VAT returns and FTA correspondence (if any)
How the process works
- Initial consultation to understand your business model and VAT concerns
- Document and records review to map taxable supplies and recoverable inputs
- Compliance gap analysis and identification of VAT risks and opportunities
- Develop VAT planning strategy and policy recommendations
- Implement process changes, invoice updates, and staff guidance
- Ongoing monitoring and support for filings and FTA interactions
Why clients choose AL SAHRAA
- Admin-reviewed quotations before you proceed.
- Document coordination and progress tracking in one portal.
- Support for business, compliance, visa, insurance, and IT-related requests.
- Clear request history, updates, and delivery follow-up.
Frequently asked questions
Who needs VAT advisory services in the UAE?
Any business that is VAT-registered or approaching the VAT registration threshold can benefit—especially firms with cross-border supplies, mixed supplies, or complex contract arrangements.
Can you help improve VAT recovery on costs?
Yes. We review expense allocations, invoicing, and documentation to maximize recoverability within UAE VAT rules and recommend accounting and contractual changes where appropriate.
Do you represent clients with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA)?
We prepare correspondence, documentation and technical position papers for FTA interactions and can guide you through audits or information requests; formal representation depends on the engagement scope.
How long does a VAT compliance review and plan take?
Typical reviews range from one to four weeks depending on company size and complexity; we provide an estimated timeline after the initial scoping call.
Will VAT planning change my accounting systems?
We aim for minimal disruption—recommendations may include VAT code updates, invoice templates, and process changes, and we can work with your finance team or software provider to implement them.
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