Other BriefingsUAE Issues New VAT Amendments Effective Jan 1, 2026: Key Compliance Changes for Businesses
The UAE amendments to its VAT law under Federal Decree-Law No. 16 of 2025, become effective January 1, 2026. Key changes include simpler reverse-charge filing, a five-year VAT refund deadline, and stricter anti-evasion rules. Learn what businesses need to prepare.The United Arab Emirates has issued a new set of amendments to its Value Added Tax (VAT) regime, marking a significant step in the country’s ongoing efforts to modernize tax administration and align domestic rules with global standards. Federal Decree-Law No. 16 of 2025 – announced by the Ministry of Finance – will amend key provisions of the existing VAT law (Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017) and take effect on January 1, 2026. According to the Ministry, the reforms are designed to “simplify tax procedures for taxpayers while ensuring transparency and compliance with international standards,” supporting broader goals of regulatory efficiency and sustainable economic growth.
Simplified VAT filing and reduced paperwork
A central pillar of the reform is the removal of the requirement for businesses to issue self-invoices under the reverse charge mechanism. Currently, companies must generate self-invoices when importing services or purchasing from suppliers not registered for VAT in the UAE. Under the updated rules, taxable businesses will only need to maintain standard supporting documentation – such as invoices, contracts, and transaction records. The Ministry explained that this measure “enhances administrative efficiency, provides clear audit evidence, and reduces procedural burdens,” while ensuring the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) retains full oversight capabilities. Another notable change introduces a five-year statutory limit for reclaiming refundable VAT. Businesses must submit refund requests within five years from the date reconciliation is completed. After this window expires, the right to file a claim lapses. The Ministry noted that this prevents an accumulation of outdated balances and improves financial certainty for taxpayers.
Strengthened compliance and anti–tax evasion measures
To reinforce governance across the supply chain, the amendments authorize the FTA to deny input tax deductions if a transaction is found to be part of a tax-evasion arrangement. This places a greater due-diligence responsibility on businesses when assessing the legitimacy of their suppliers and transactions. “Taxpayers are required to verify the legitimacy and integrity of supplies before deducting input tax,” the Ministry stated, emphasizing that the change aims to protect public revenues and promote shared compliance accountability. These enhanced safeguards reflect the UAE’s broader push to ensure a fair and transparent tax environment, particularly as the country continues to expand its corporate tax and indirect tax frameworks.Supporting a competitive and transparent economy
The Ministry of Finance said the updated VAT rules will improve consistency, strengthen taxpayer fairness, and support the long-term sustainability of public resources. Policymakers expect the amendments to reduce administrative friction for businesses operating in the UAE, while ensuring that the tax system keeps pace with international best practices. “These amendments support the UAE’s ongoing efforts to enhance the tax system, ensure a fair and transparent compliance environment, and promote both financial and administrative efficiency,” the Ministry added. With the changes taking effect in 2026, businesses have a full year to review their documentation, refund processes, supplier vetting procedures, and internal compliance controls to ensure readiness for the updated framework.This article first appeared on Middle East Briefing, our sister platform.
