Non-compliance with UAE tax rules can trigger significant administrative penalties. If your business is VAT-registered, it’s essential to register on time, file returns by the deadline, keep proper records, and pay VAT due within the required timeframe.

Disclaimer: Penalties, thresholds, and rules can change. Always confirm the latest requirements via official sources and guidance from the Federal Tax Authority.

1) Main Types of Violations and Penalties

A) Failure to register for VAT on time

If a business exceeds the mandatory VAT registration threshold (AED 375,000) and does not apply within the required period, it may be penalized.

  • Penalty: typically AED 10,000 for failure to register.

Example:
A company reaches AED 400,000 taxable turnover but delays VAT registration → risk of an administrative fine.

B) Late VAT return submission

VAT returns must be filed within 28 days after the end of the tax period.

  • First late filing: AED 1,000

  • Repeated within 24 months: AED 2,000 per repeated violation

Example:
A company misses the Q1 filing deadline → AED 1,000 fine. A repeat delay soon after can trigger AED 2,000.

C) Late payment of VAT

Late payment penalties can escalate quickly and may include:

  • 2% of unpaid tax immediately after the due date

  • Additional 4% if unpaid after a short period (commonly referenced as 7 days)

  • Ongoing penalties thereafter, with a maximum cap up to 300% of unpaid tax (depending on the applicable rules).

Example (simple illustration):
VAT payable = AED 50,000, unpaid past deadline → penalties start accruing based on the schedule above.

D) Incorrect VAT return / wrong information

If a return contains incorrect information, the business must correct it (often through a voluntary disclosure process) within the required timeframe.

  • Penalties depend on the scenario (first vs repeat, amount of tax difference, and how/when the correction is made).

Practical takeaway: even a “small mistake” can become expensive if not corrected promptly.

E) Incorrect VAT refund claims

If a business claims a VAT refund it is not entitled to, it may be required to repay it and can be subject to penalties. Some regimes reference penalties as a percentage of the incorrectly claimed amount depending on the case.

F) Poor record-keeping / failure to retain VAT documents

VAT-registered businesses must maintain VAT records and supporting documents (commonly 5 years, and longer in some cases depending on the document type and activity).

  • Penalties for record-keeping failures can be substantial (often escalating on repetition).

2) How to Avoid Violations and Fines

  • Register immediately once you meet the VAT threshold and conditions.

  • Track tax periods and deadlines (file within 28 days after the tax period ends).

  • Maintain accurate bookkeeping and keep VAT documentation properly organized.

  • Fix mistakes quickly (use voluntary disclosure where appropriate and within the required timeline).

  • Get proactive tax support—most penalties happen due to missed deadlines and procedural gaps, not “big fraud”.

3) Example: Full Penalty Calculation (Illustrative)

Scenario:

  • VAT return filed 10 days late (first offence)

  • VAT payable: AED 50,000

  • VAT not paid for 2 months

1) Late filing penalty:

  • AED 1,000 (first offence)

2) Late payment penalties (illustrative):

  • 2% of 50,000 = AED 1,000

    • 4% of 50,000 = AED 2,000

    • additional penalties for continuing non-payment (rules depend on the current penalty regime; overall caps can apply).

Total (simplified illustration): from AED 4,000+ plus ongoing penalties until payment.

Use this as a structure, not as a legal calculation—exact amounts can differ based on the current Cabinet Decisions and how the FTA applies the rules to your case.

4) Make Fortune Accounting & VAT Compliance Support

Make Fortune helps businesses avoid VAT penalties and stay compliant by proactively tracking regulatory updates and keeping financial reporting in order.

We offer accounting packages starting from USD 400, including everything from daily bookkeeping to audit support, ensuring compliance with UAE accounting and tax requirements.

We are an FTA-accredited Tax Agent, officially authorized to represent clients before the UAE Federal Tax Authority. This means we can support you end-to-end—from registrations and filings to handling FTA queries.

Our services include:

  • VAT registration, return filing, and compliance support
  • Corporate Tax compliance (where applicable)
  • Payroll processing
  • Financial statements and management reporting
  • Threshold monitoring (VAT / Corporate Tax)
  • Audit and FTA review support