Do you work with businesses outside Dubai?

Yes. BPOAS serves clients across all 7 Emirates and manages UAE entities for overseas owners who cannot be on-site themselves.

What makes BPOAS different from other accounting firms in Dubai?

We come to your office, verify physical source documents ourselves, and run every account through two departments — accounting and tax — before you see a number. Most firms work remotely from what you send them.

Do you handle both Zoho Books and Odoo implementation?

Yes. BPOAS is a certified partner for both Zoho Books and Odoo. We implement, migrate, and train your team — then continue managing your books on the same system.

UAE Accounting and Tax Compliance Hub - BPO Accounting Services

UAE businesses operating under VAT, Corporate Tax, and incoming eInvoicing requirements face a layered compliance framework that has changed significantly since 2018. This hub brings together BPOAS guides on UAE accounting and tax compliance, covering each area in depth so businesses can understand what the rules require, how they connect, and what needs to be done to stay compliant.

The UAE Accounting and Tax Compliance Framework

The UAE operates a multi-layered compliance framework managed by the Federal Tax Authority (FTA). VAT has been in place since January 2018. Corporate Tax launched in June 2023. UAE eInvoicing is being rolled out through the Peppol network from late 2026. FTA Decision No. 13 of 2026 adds new supplier and supply verification requirements to VAT input tax recovery. Each of these frameworks interacts with the others, and businesses need to manage them as a connected system, not as separate obligations.

The following guides cover each area in detail.

VAT UAE

UAE VAT (Value Added Tax) was introduced at a standard rate of 5% on 1 January 2018 under Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017. Businesses with taxable supplies exceeding AED 375,000 per year are required to register. Zero-rated supplies, exempt supplies, and mandatory vs. voluntary registration thresholds are key concepts every VAT-registered business needs to understand.

VAT compliance in the UAE covers registration and TRN maintenance, tax invoice issuance, input tax recovery, and quarterly or monthly VAT return filing. The FTA audits VAT returns and can assess penalties for late filing, underpayment, or incorrect input tax claims.

Read the full guide: UAE VAT: The Complete Guide for UAE Businesses

Corporate Tax UAE

UAE Corporate Tax (CT) came into effect for financial years starting on or after 1 June 2023 under Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022. The standard rate is 9% on taxable income above AED 375,000. Businesses with revenue under AED 3 million may qualify for the Small Business Relief scheme. Free zone businesses that meet the Qualifying Free Zone Person criteria may access a 0% rate on qualifying income.

Corporate Tax compliance requires annual CT return filing, maintained accounting records that comply with IFRS, and transfer pricing documentation for related party transactions. First CT returns for most businesses were due in 2024, with ongoing annual obligations continuing from that point.

Read the full guide: Corporate Tax UAE: What Businesses Need to Know

UAE eInvoicing

UAE eInvoicing is a phased mandate requiring businesses to issue and receive invoices through the Peppol network via an FTA-accredited Accredited Service Provider (ASP). Large businesses with revenue above AED 50 million are in the first wave, with an ASP appointment deadline of 30 October 2026. Smaller businesses will follow in subsequent phases as announced by the FTA.

eInvoicing affects how invoices are created, validated, transmitted, and stored. Invoices must carry HSM codes for goods, SAC codes for services, verified TIN numbers, and buyer ID details. The system validates every field before an invoice is transmitted. Incomplete records cause invoice failures at the point of submission, not after.

Read the full guide: UAE eInvoicing: The Complete Guide for Businesses (2026)

FTA Decision No. 13 of 2026: VAT Input Tax Recovery

FTA Decision No. 13 of 2026 changes the conditions for VAT input tax recovery in the UAE. From 1 October 2026, a valid tax invoice is no longer sufficient on its own. Businesses must also verify the supplier and confirm the supply actually took place before recovering input VAT. The decision introduces three verification thresholds: AED 10,000 per supply, AED 100,000 cumulative per supplier over 12 months, and AED 375,000 where enhanced due diligence applies.

Businesses that cannot demonstrate documented supplier and supply verification risk having input tax recovery claims denied or reversed on audit. The effective date is 1 October 2026. Every VAT-registered business that files regular VAT returns and claims input tax needs to review their current process before that date.

Read the full article: FTA Decision No. 13 of 2026: UAE VAT Input Tax Recovery Rules Have Changed

Bookkeeping UAE

UAE bookkeeping covers the systematic recording of all financial transactions a business undertakes, including sales invoices, supplier bills, bank transactions, payroll records, and expense receipts. Under UAE Corporate Tax law, businesses are required to maintain accounting records for a minimum of 7 years. Under UAE VAT law, tax records must be kept for 5 years.

Bookkeeping connects to every other compliance area. Input tax recovery requires accurate supplier records. Corporate Tax taxable income is calculated from the books. eInvoicing invoice data must match accounting records. And FTA Decision No. 13 supplier verification is, at its core, a bookkeeping process.

Read the full guide: Bookkeeping UAE: What It Covers, Who Needs It, and How It Works

Zoho Books UAE

Zoho Books is a cloud-based accounting system widely used by UAE SMEs for VAT compliance, invoice management, and financial reporting. Zoho Books is FTA-accredited and includes a dedicated UAE VAT module covering tax invoice generation, tax group management, and VAT return preparation.

Zoho Books is also rolling out UAE eInvoicing capability through its dedicated eInvoicing module, which connects to the Peppol network and validates invoice data before submission. For businesses preparing for eInvoicing compliance, the platform handles item code mapping (HSM/SAC), customer TIN verification, and the two-step activation process required by the FTA.

Read the full guide: Zoho Books UAE: Features, VAT Compliance, and eInvoicing

Accounting Firm Dubai

Finding the right accounting firm in Dubai involves more than checking credentials. UAE accounting and tax compliance is technical, and requirements have changed significantly since VAT was introduced in 2018. A firm that understood VAT well in 2019 may not be current on Corporate Tax, FTA Decision No. 13, or eInvoicing requirements.

What an accounting firm in Dubai should cover: VAT return preparation and input tax management, Corporate Tax filing and advisory, eInvoicing implementation and ASP coordination, bookkeeping to IFRS standards, and FTA audit support. Businesses in trading, services, construction, and free zones each have specific compliance requirements that a generalist firm may not address.

Read the full guide: Accounting Firm Dubai: What to Look For and What to Ask

How BPOAS Handles UAE Accounting and Tax Compliance

BPOAS is a UAE-based accounting and tax compliance firm working on-site with SMEs across Dubai and the Emirates. The team handles the full range of UAE compliance obligations under one engagement: VAT, Corporate Tax, bookkeeping, eInvoicing implementation, and FTA audit support.

For each client, BPOAS assigns a dedicated accountant familiar with the client’s industry and transaction types. Compliance is managed proactively, with return filing, record maintenance, and system updates handled on schedule. Clients are notified of regulatory changes, such as FTA Decision No. 13, before the effective date, with updated processes implemented without disruption to operations.

For businesses on Zoho Books, BPOAS handles the full accounting workflow inside the platform: chart of accounts setup, VAT module configuration, eInvoicing activation, and ongoing bookkeeping and return preparation. Contact BPOAS at bpoas.ae.

Frequently Asked Questions: UAE Accounting and Tax Compliance

What taxes does a UAE business need to comply with?

Most UAE businesses need to comply with VAT (if taxable supplies exceed AED 375,000 per year) and Corporate Tax (for financial years starting on or after 1 June 2023). Businesses above AED 50 million revenue also face UAE eInvoicing requirements from late 2026. Customs duties apply to businesses that import goods. Excise Tax applies to specific product categories including tobacco, energy drinks, and carbonated beverages.

Is VAT and Corporate Tax compliance the same in all emirates?

Yes. VAT and Corporate Tax are federal laws that apply across all seven emirates, including free zones. Some free zone businesses may qualify for the Qualifying Free Zone Person regime under Corporate Tax, which provides a 0% rate on qualifying income, but this is subject to FTA conditions and substance requirements.

What records does a UAE business need to keep?

Under UAE Corporate Tax law, accounting records must be kept for 7 years. Under UAE VAT law, tax records and invoices must be kept for 5 years (15 years for real estate transactions). Businesses should maintain records in a format that can be produced on FTA audit request. eInvoicing data submitted through the Peppol network is stored by the ASP in addition to the business’s own records.

When do UAE eInvoicing requirements start?

The UAE eInvoicing mandate is being phased in. Large businesses with revenue above AED 50 million are in the first wave, with an ASP appointment deadline of 30 October 2026. Smaller businesses will be covered in subsequent phases as announced by the FTA. The system uses the Peppol network and requires invoices to be transmitted through an FTA-accredited ASP.

What changed for VAT input tax recovery in 2026?

FTA Decision No. 13 of 2026 changed the conditions for VAT input tax recovery, effective 1 October 2026. A valid tax invoice is no longer sufficient on its own. Businesses must also verify the supplier (legitimate, registered entity) and the supply (goods or services were actually received) before recovering input VAT. Verification must be documented. Thresholds apply at AED 10,000 per supply, AED 100,000 per supplier over 12 months, and AED 375,000 for enhanced due diligence.

How does BPOAS handle multiple compliance areas for one client?

BPOAS manages VAT, Corporate Tax, bookkeeping, eInvoicing, and FTA compliance under one engagement. Clients receive a dedicated accountant, proactive management of deadlines, and regular updates on regulatory changes. For Zoho Books users, BPOAS handles the full accounting workflow inside the platform. Contact the team at bpoas.ae to discuss your business’s compliance requirements.