Maintaining accurate records is not just good practice—it's a legal requirement under UAE VAT Law.
What records must be maintained?
A taxpayer should maintain the following records and books of accounts:
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Tax invoices, credit & debit notes
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Import & Export declarations
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General Ledgers
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Purchase Day Book
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Sales Day Book
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VAT Account Record
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Records of goods for personal use
Tax Records
Your records must include specific information about:
- Tax due on taxable supplies.
- Tax due after adjustments/corrections.
- Tax due on Reverse Charge supplies.
- Recoverable input tax on supplies and imports.
How long should I maintain VAT records?
- General Records: At least 5 years from the end of the financial year.
- Capital Assets (Machinery/Furniture): At least 10 years.
- Real Estate Records: At least 15 years.
Where should I keep my VAT records?
Records should be maintained at the head office. You can also maintain an electronic copy of the original records.
FTA Audit File (FAF)
In case of an audit, you may be asked to provide an FTA Audit File (FAF). This is a master file (usually .csv) containing all necessary data to assess compliance, including:
- Company details (TRN, Name).
- Supplier details (Name, Location, TRN).
- Customer details (Name, Location, TRN).
- Transaction details.