Federal Decree‑Law No. 16 of 2025 introduced a five‑year limitation period for VAT refund claims in the UAE, effective 1 January 2026. Businesses must now file returns strategically to avoid permanent loss of input‑VAT credits, with transitional relief until 31 December 2026 for credits older than five years. The change turns VAT compliance into a cash‑flow optimisation tool.
A five‑year limitation period applies from the end of the tax period, effective 1 January 2026.
They expire permanently on 1 January 2026.
A one‑year grace period from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026 allows businesses to claim credits older than five years.
They must submit refund applications before 31 December 2026 or lose those credits permanently.
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The VAT Consultant · about 13 hours ago
The UAE’s 2026 corporate tax registration wave introduces new deadlines and penalties, requiring natural persons with over AED 1 million in revenue to register by March 31 2026, companies incorporated in 2026 to complete registration within three months of incorporation, and all free‑zone entities to register regardless of Qualifying Free Zone Person status. A AED 10 000 penalty applies for late registration, and the changes aim to align entity structures with long‑term compliance and operational flexibility.
e-Invoice.app · 4 days ago
The UAE has introduced a comprehensive e‑invoicing mandate under Cabinet Decision No. 100/2025, requiring all VAT‑registered businesses to issue structured electronic invoices in the PINT AE format via a 5‑corner DCTCE model. The phased rollout begins with a pilot in July 2026 for large enterprises, with subsequent deadlines for large taxpayers, SMEs, and government entities through 2027. Penalties range from AED 5,000 per month for non‑implementation to AED 100 per invoice, up to AED 5,000 per month.
NatLawReview · 12 days ago
The VAT Consultant highlights the growing need for expert tax advisory in the UAE as stricter VAT registration rules and a new corporate tax regime take effect. New penalty regimes effective 14 April 2026 and a surge in Federal Tax Authority audit activity underscore the importance of proactive compliance. The firm offers assessment, strategic planning, and ongoing monitoring to help businesses navigate these changes.
Times of India · 20 days ago
UAE will roll out a national e-invoicing system in 2026‑27, moving from paper to structured digital invoices. The pilot starts July 2026, with mandatory phases for high‑revenue businesses in January 2027, all VAT‑registered firms by July 2027, and B2G transactions from October 2027. Non‑compliance can trigger fines up to AED 5,000 per month.
LinkedIn Article by Skill Quotient · 29 days ago
The article discusses how governments across the GCC, Europe and Asia are moving toward real‑time clearance and continuous transaction control (CTC) models for e‑invoicing, with the UAE accelerating adoption of PEPPOL and FTA‑aligned reporting. It highlights that by 2026 CFOs will need new roles such as Tax Data Engineers to manage structured tax data pipelines and real‑time compliance. The piece outlines the operational shift from manual reconciliation to data‑oriented finance functions and the importance of interoperable e‑invoicing systems.
LinkedIn · about 1 month ago
The UAE Peppol Testbed has been upgraded to support service providers preparing for accreditation. Two new inbound test cases – invalid PINT AE invoices due to Schematron and syntax errors – have been added, along with an updated UAE Tax Data Document (TDD) version 1.0.1. Service providers must return a negative Message Level Response and submit a UAE Tax Data Status (TDS) to the Federal Tax Authority Access Point.
