UAE VAT Invoice Template — Free Guide (2026)
Open BusinessOS (free during limited early access) →If you're doing business in the UAE and turning over more than AED 375,000/year, you're required to charge 5% VAT and issue FTA-compliant tax invoices. Missing even one required field can get invoices rejected or your business fined. This guide gives you the fields you need — plus a way to generate them automatically.
What a valid UAE tax invoice must contain (FTA rules)
Per Federal Tax Authority Executive Regulations, a UAE tax invoice must show:
- The words "Tax Invoice" clearly displayed
- Your name, address, and Tax Registration Number (TRN)
- Customer's name and address (and TRN if they're VAT-registered)
- A unique sequential invoice number
- Date of issue AND date of supply (if different)
- Description of goods/services supplied
- Unit price, quantity, discount
- Amount excluding VAT per line
- Applicable VAT rate (5%) and VAT amount per line
- Total amount payable in AED (including VAT)
Simplified vs Full Tax Invoice
| Field | Full Tax Invoice | Simplified Tax Invoice |
|---|---|---|
| Used when | Value > AED 10,000 OR customer is VAT-registered | Value ≤ AED 10,000 to unregistered customer |
| Customer TRN required | Yes (if registered) | No |
| VAT breakdown per line | Yes | Total only |
| Arabic option | Recommended | Recommended |
Common mistakes that get invoices rejected
- Forgetting to write "Tax Invoice" at the top (FTA is strict about this exact wording)
- Missing TRN — yours or the customer's
- Non-sequential invoice numbers (skipping or reusing numbers)
- Wrong VAT calculation — remember it's 5% on the pre-VAT amount, not extracted from a total
- Not keeping invoices for 5 years (FTA record-keeping requirement)
- Issuing an invoice after 14 days from the date of supply
How BusinessOS handles this
- Sequential invoice numbering — never repeats, never skips
- Auto VAT calculation at 5% (or 0% for zero-rated / exempt supplies)
- TRN storage for both your business and each customer
- PDF export — labeled "Tax Invoice" in English or "فاتورة ضريبية" in Arabic
- 5-year archive automatically kept, encrypted, searchable
- Multi-currency with AED equivalent for FTA reporting
FAQ
Do I need to register for UAE VAT?
If your taxable turnover exceeds AED 375,000/year, registration is mandatory. Voluntary registration is possible above AED 187,500/year.
Can I invoice a customer outside the UAE with VAT?
Exports outside the GCC are typically zero-rated (0% VAT but still on the invoice). GCC customers depend on their VAT registration status. BusinessOS handles both cases.
Is the invoice template really free?
Yes. BusinessOS is free during early access — unlimited invoices, no credit card, no ads.
Ready? Create your first FTA-compliant invoice in 90 seconds.
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