VAT & Corporate Tax Bookkeeping
Reconcile standard-rated 5% VAT activity where applicable, prepare VAT return workpapers and document adjustments for your UAE tax adviser.
Discuss this serviceUnited Arab Emirates (Dubai / UAE) · ACCOUNTING & BOOKKEEPING
Bookkeeping for Dubai and UAE businesses.
Prepare VAT and Corporate Tax records your UAE adviser can review, with clear AED reporting for mainland and free zone operations.
FIND YOUR STARTING POINT
What is slowing down your books?
The VAT report differs from the ledger, and some invoices lack usable supporting information.
Reconcile VAT by tax period, organize invoices and isolate rate, timing and documentation exceptions for your tax adviser.
Discuss this workflow →You need to explain income streams and costs before your adviser can assess Corporate Tax treatment.
Separate activity by entity and income stream, prepare supporting schedules and leave qualification and tax decisions to your adviser.
Discuss this workflow →Payroll, WPS reports and bank settlements do not match across AED and USD.
Reconcile payment evidence to payroll and clearing accounts, and document timing differences, fees and FX movements.
Discuss this workflow →SUPPORT FOR UAE
Local workflows we can help with.
Corporate Tax readiness and IFRS workpapers
Organize trial balances, schedules and IFRS reporting support so your adviser can assess the applicable Corporate Tax treatment, including the 9% rate where relevant.
Discuss this serviceFree zone and mainland accounting
Maintain traceable activity by entity and location for mainland businesses and free zones such as DMCC, DIFC, ADGM and IFZA.
Discuss this serviceWPS payroll and currency reconciliation
Match payroll and Wage Protection System payment records where applicable, and reconcile AED, USD and other settlement currencies.
Discuss this serviceLOCAL SOFTWARE STACK
Work with the systems you already use.
We’ll confirm editions, access and integrations when we scope your work.
- Zoho Books (FTA-accredited)
- Xero
- QuickBooks Online
- ERP and custom integrations
ILLUSTRATIVE WORKFLOW
A Dubai trading business with AED and USD accounts
The team uses Zoho Books and has separate bank, VAT and payroll reports.
How we would approach it
Match invoices to payments and credits, reconcile currency differences, and deliver VAT and Corporate Tax workpapers for the designated adviser.
LOCAL INSIGHTS
Practical reading for UAE businesses.
UAE VAT and Corporate Tax workpapers for a clearer handoff
Prepare UAE VAT and Corporate Tax records by reconciling invoices, credits and currency settlements, and separating mainland and free zone entity activity.
Read insightA month-end routine your UAE adviser can review
Start with a clear list of entities, bank accounts, ledgers and settlement currencies. A Dubai trading business may use an AED bank account, a USD payment processor, Zoho Books and a separate payroll provider. A useful close should explain how each source reaches the ledger, highlight missing records and show who reviews changes. We agree the reporting periods, preparer, reviewer and handoff dates before work starts.
Prepare traceable VAT records
Keep tax invoices, credit notes, import evidence and transaction details with the relevant reporting period. Separate standard-rated activity from zero-rated, exempt or otherwise differently treated transactions as directed by your adviser. Reconcile the VAT accounts against source records and list differences for review before the responsible filer submits. The standard rate is 5% where applicable. The FTA taxable-supply guide explains that taxable supplies can also be zero-rated.
Get ready for Corporate Tax review
Close the books with supporting schedules for revenue, expenses, intercompany balances and fixed assets. If your reviewer needs IFRS reporting support, agree the reporting basis and the workpapers they expect. The adviser determines the applicable accounting framework, tax adjustments and filing position. Free zone status alone does not establish a tax outcome. The FTA free zone guidance distinguishes 0% on qualifying income from 9% on non-qualifying taxable income for Qualifying Free Zone Persons.
Keep mainland and free zone records separate
Whether your business is on the mainland or operates in DMCC, DIFC, ADGM or IFZA, agree which legal entity owns each account, contract and invoice. If several entities share an operating system, create separate reporting dimensions and reconcile intercompany balances with matching source records. Your local adviser confirms the obligations for each entity and location.
Reconcile WPS and multi-currency payments
Where the Wage Protection System applies, match approved payroll, payment evidence and ledger entries. Separate timing differences, bank fees and exchange differences before sending exceptions to your payroll provider. For cross-border settlements, retain the original currency and agreed conversion basis so AED reporting remains traceable to source. See the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s WPS overview.
Start with a bounded pilot
Choose one entity or period and agree what a complete workpaper set looks like. Useful starting points include an overdue bank reconciliation, VAT account tie-out, or preparation for a Corporate Tax review. We can discuss Zoho Books, Xero, QuickBooks Online or a scoped ERP integration. Zoho’s UAE documentation describes its platform accreditation. Confirm the software edition and configuration your business uses before assigning tasks.
MARKET QUESTIONS
What to know before you start.
Can you help with 5% UAE VAT return preparation?
We prepare reconciliations and workpapers for transactions subject to the standard rate where applicable. Your UAE tax adviser confirms classifications and the authorized filer handles submission.
Does 9% Corporate Tax apply to every UAE business?
Treatment depends on taxable income and the entity’s circumstances. Qualifying Free Zone Persons can receive 0% on qualifying income and 9% on non-qualifying taxable income. Your adviser assesses the applicable rules.
Can you support mainland, free zone and WPS records?
We can separate records by entity, reconcile payroll and WPS evidence where applicable, and assemble schedules for the local reviewer. Your adviser confirms the obligations for each entity.
FREE CONSULTATION · UAE
Let’s talk about your books.
Tell us your emirate or free zone, VAT period, Corporate Tax priorities or WPS workflow. We’ll discuss a practical scope and handoff.