Vat Consultants Abu Dhabi

Introduction to VAT in Dubai and Vat Consultants Dubai

What is tax?

Tax is the means by which governments raise revenue to pay for public services. Government revenues from taxation are generally used to pay for things such public hospitals, schools and universities, defence and other important aspects of daily life.

There are many different types of taxes:

  • A direct tax is collected by government from the person on whom it is imposed (e.g., income tax, corporate tax).
  • An indirect tax is collected for government by an intermediary (e.g. a retail store) from the person that ultimately pays the tax (e.g., VAT, Sales Tax).

Vat Consultants Dubai describes ‘What is VAT?’

Value Added Tax (or VAT) is an indirect tax. Occasionally you might also see it referred to as a type of general consumption tax. In a country which has a VAT, it is imposed on most supplies of goods and services that are bought and sold.

VAT is one of the most common types of consumption tax found around the world. Over 150 countries have implemented VAT (or its equivalent, Goods and Services Tax), including all 29 European Union (EU) members, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, and Malaysia.

VAT is charged at each step of the ‘supply chain’. Ultimate consumers generally bear the VAT cost while Businesses collect and account for the tax, in a way acting as a tax collector on behalf of the government.

A business pays the government the tax that it collects from the customers while it may also receive a refund from the government on tax that it has paid to its suppliers. The net result is that tax receipts to government reflect the ‘value add’ throughout the supply chain. To explain how VAT works we have provided a simple, illustrative example below (based on a VAT rate of 5%):

What is the difference between VAT and Sales Tax?

A sales tax is also a consumption tax, just like VAT. For the general public, there may be no observable difference between how the two types of taxes work, but there are some key differences. In many countries, sales taxes are only imposed on transactions involving goods. In addition, sales tax is only imposed on the final sale to the consumer. This contrasts with VAT which is imposed on goods and services and is charged throughout the supply chain, including on the final sale. VAT is also imposed on imports of goods and services so as to ensure that a level playing field is maintained for domestic providers of those same goods and services.

Many countries prefer a VAT over sales taxes for a range of reasons. Importantly, VAT is considered a more sophisticated approach to taxation as it makes businesses serve as tax collectors on behalf of the government and cuts down on misreporting and tax evasion.

Why UAE implemented VAT?

The UAE Federal and Emirate governments provide citizens and residents with many different public services – including hospitals, roads, public schools, parks, waste control, and police services. These services are paid for by government budgets. VAT will provide our country with a new source of income which will contribute to the continued provision of high-quality public services into the future. It will also help the government move towards its vision of reducing dependence on oil and other hydrocarbons as a source of revenue.

Why does the UAE need to coordinate VAT implementation with other GCC countries?

The UAE is part of a group of countries that are closely connected through “The Economic Agreement Between the GCC States” and “The GCC Customs Union”. The GCC group of nations have historically worked together in designing and implementing new public policies as we recognize that such a collaborative approach is best for the region.

How Vat Consultants Dubai can help your business and covers all products and services?

VAT, as a general consumption tax, apply to the majority of transactions in goods and services. A limited number of reliefs, such as RTA services, are granted.Can businesses use VAT implementation as an excuse to increase prices?

VAT is consumer tax hence no impact on Business, except for compliance and cash flow initially in some cases, therefore it is not an opportunity for businesses to increase the prices, certainly concerned departments such ad Dubai economic department have put measures in place so business don’t increase prices on the basis of VAT.

We offer Vat Consultants, VAT registration, Vat Consultants In Dubai, and more. 

If you are seeking for the best Vat Consultants Dubai, reach us now.

Call us now – +971 4 572 6400 or For more information enquire us at info@theaccountant.ae