UAE VAT registration isn't optional once you cross a certain size — but plenty of growing businesses genuinely don't know which side of the line they're on. There are two thresholds that matter: AED 187,500, where voluntary registration opens up, and AED 375,000, where registration becomes mandatory. Enter your taxable turnover below to see exactly where you stand.

VAT Registration Eligibility Checker

Based on taxable turnover over the last 12 months (or expected in the next 30 days).

Standard-rated and zero-rated supplies — generally excludes exempt supplies.
Your status —
This tool gives a planning estimate based on the standard UAE VAT registration thresholds. It doesn't verify which of your revenue lines count as taxable turnover, or check for group registration and other special cases. For a definitive answer, talk to our accountant — book a consultation.

The two thresholds, explained

  • Below AED 187,500 — registration isn't available yet. Nothing to do at this stage.
  • AED 187,500 – 375,000 — voluntary registration opens up. Not required, but many businesses register here to start reclaiming VAT paid on their own expenses.
  • Above AED 375,000 — registration is mandatory. This is assessed on a rolling basis (previous 12 months, or expected next 30 days), not a single annual figure, so a fast-growing business can cross it mid-year.

Already know you're over the threshold and just need the number? Try our VAT calculator to work out exactly how much VAT applies to a given amount.

Frequently asked questions

VAT registration becomes mandatory once your taxable supplies and imports exceed AED 375,000 over the previous 12 months, or you expect to exceed it in the next 30 days, under Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017.

Yes. Voluntary registration is available once taxable turnover (or taxable expenses) reaches AED 187,500. Many growing businesses register voluntarily at this stage so they can start reclaiming input VAT on expenses.

Failing to register within the FTA's required timeframe can result in penalties, plus you may owe VAT on supplies made after you should have registered, without having collected it from customers at the time. Registering as soon as you cross the threshold avoids both problems.

Not necessarily — the threshold is assessed on a rolling basis, looking at the previous 12 months and the expected next 30 days, not a single annual snapshot. A business growing quickly can cross the threshold mid-year and needs to register at that point, not wait for year-end.

Not always. Taxable turnover counts standard-rated and zero-rated supplies, but generally excludes exempt supplies. Getting this classification right matters for an accurate threshold test — an accountant can confirm which of your revenue lines actually count.