Value Added Tax, or VAT, is a form of indirect tax that is occasionally referred to as a general consumption tax, and it is levied on most goods and services. Businesses will collect VAT from their customers and are eligible to deduct the VAT paid to their suppliers, and the net difference is settled with the Tax Authority. Overall, this has the effect of taxing the "value addition" throughout the supply chain.
What is VAT Assistance?
A Business may only sometimes be in a VAT-payable position to the Authority. For example, in some tax periods, businesses making only zero-rated supplies under VAT may end up in a VAT refund position. VAT refund position means that the total VAT paid by the company on its running expenditures exceeds the VAT charges on its sales/revenue. So what needs to be done?
In such a situation, the net VAT position in return will be negative, i.e., the FTA owes a VAT refund to the business. Therefore, it is well within the rights of a business as a UAE VAT registrant to request a refund of the excess VAT from the Tax authority. A separate claim form is required to be submitted to process this refund.
FTA approved Tax agent can assist with the following:
- Advising on whether to claim a VAT refund or not.
- Prepare the refund application and submit the same to the FTA.
- Prepare the details necessary for a refund assessment by the FTA.
- Liaise with FTA to secure the refund amount.
VAT PENALTY RECONSIDERATIONS
Businesses that have made errors in the return VAT or failed to comply with the UAE VAT requirements fully can be penalized by the FTA for such mistakes. But does it mean the business should only do something about the penalties if they pay them?
The answer is NO. Businesses are entitled to make an official request which is known as a "Reconsideration request," to the UAE FTA for:
- Waiving off the penalty.
- Reducing the penalty amount.
- Seek an installment payment scheme for settling the penalties.
All businesses should exercise such rights and mechanisms available under the UAE VAT Law to try and reduce the financial burden of penalties. Any penalties imposed should be evaluated for the possible remedial actions that can be taken to minimize their impact.
Any such UAE VAT penalty waiver requests should be accompanied by a write-up detailing the facts of the case, relevant provisions of the Law, etc., which can help strengthen a case for a waiver. A weak appeal against a penalty can easily lead to its rejection.