VAT Deregistration In the UAE: When You Must Deregister & How to Do It

Did you know? The UAE Value Added Tax system’s introduction (since 2018) has helped the nation’s business environment become more transparent & well-regulated. However, a lot of people may think that VAT compliance just stops with registration. When in reality, it does not. Companies need to know when as well as how to finish VAT deregistration if they aren’t meeting the criteria for registration anymore or choose to discontinue producing taxable supplies. 

When you fail to deregister in a timely manner, it can lead to ongoing VAT filing requirements, needless obligations for compliance, and administrative penalties. Whether you are closing your business, going for restructuring, or the taxable turnover that you have has gone below the required threshold, understanding the correct time for deregistration is as essential as VAT registration.  

This blog talks about VAT deregistration in the UAE, the documents you need for it, when it is compulsory or optional, the full procedure for the application, and the eligibility criteria so your company can maintain compliance with the UAE’s FTA.  

What Do You Mean By VAT Deregistration? 

The process via which a company’s VAT registration is cancelled with the FTA is known as VAT Deregistration. Post application approval, your company won’t have to continue collecting Value Added Tax on supplies that are taxable or submit its VAT returns periodically. 

That said, deregistration doesn’t indicate that the tax duties you have will end on an immediate basis. Before the Federal Tax Authority gives approval to your application, it’s a must for your business to: 

• File all the Value Added Tax returns that are outstanding.
• Pay any penalties, liabilities, or administrative fines concerning Value Added Tax.
• Resolve any Federal Tax Authority obligations that are pending.
• Keep records as needed under the tax laws of the UAE. 

Companies should only apply post making sure that they’re meeting the conditions for eligibility that have been specified by the Federal Tax Authority.  

When Do Businesses Need to Go for VAT Deregistration in the UAE?  

There are 2 scenarios where a company might apply for UAE VAT deregistration. These are: 

1. Mandatory Deregistration
2. Voluntary Deregistration

Learning the difference is helpful for companies in avoiding penalties & remaining compliant when it comes to the tax regulations in the UAE.  

1. Mandatory VAT Deregistration 

It is a must for a company to submit their application for VAT deregistration when:   

• It stops making supplies that are taxable on a permanent basis. 
• The business is no longer in operation.
• There’s no plan to carry on with future taxable activities. 

The Federal Tax Authority also needs companies to apply within the timeline that has been prescribed after they are eligible for deregistering mandatorily. When you miss this deadline, it might invite administrative penalties. 

For instance, imagine you have a business that closes on a permanent basis after completing every contract & doesn’t have taxable business activities for the future. In that case, it is a must for that business to initiate the process of deregistration instead of carrying on as a taxable person that is registered.  

2. Voluntary VAT Deregistration 

Companies might also qualify for deregistering voluntarily if they continue to operate but don’t meet the mandatory registration threshold any longer.  

Generally, this is applicable when:  

• Annual supplies that are taxable have gone below the mandatory Value Added Tax registration threshold.
• The company is expecting the turnover to stay below when it comes to the threshold.
• It is satisfying the conditions that have been put down by the Federal Tax Authority when it comes to voluntary deregistration. 

Having established that, companies need to carefully evaluate future growth prior to deregistering. If taxable turnover rises once more, a new Value Added Tax registration might be compulsory.  

Understanding VAT Deregistration Eligibility  

It is to be noted that when it comes to VAT deregistration, every registered business cannot apply immediately. The Federal Tax Authority assesses every application depending on whether all the legal aspects are met. 

In general, companies might qualify if they: 

• Have stopped taxable activities permanently.
• Have transferred the ownership via business restructuring that is qualifying.
• Don’t meet the mandatory Value Added Tax registration threshold anymore.
• Have fulfilled all of their tax duties that were outstanding.
• Have turned in the pending Value Added Tax returns prior to applying.  

If you meet these criteria for eligibility, it doesn’t automatically guarantee approval. Prior to making a decision, the Federal Tax Authority checks the application & supporting paperwork.  

Present UAE VAT Registration Thresholds (2026) 

As a business, before you decide whether you want to cancel the VAT number in the UAE, you have to know about the Value Added Tax thresholds that are applicable.  

Type of Registration	Supplies That are Taxable
Mandatory Registration of VAT	AED 375,000 or more yearly
Voluntary Registration of VAT	AED 187,500 or more yearly

If the taxable supplies you have consistently stays under the mandatory threshold & you are able to meet other conditions, you might qualify for VAT deregistration in the UAE.

The above thresholds are still in effect under the United Arab Emirates’ VAT structure as administered by the FTA. 

FTA Deregistration Requirements: What You Need to Know 

Before an application is approved, the Federal Tax Authority sees whether companies have been compliant with all the legal obligations. 

The key FTA deregistration requirements involve: 

1. Submitting All the VAT Returns

It is a must for every outstanding Value Added Tax return to be filed before you submit a request for deregistration. Applications with returns that are pending are usually not processed until you fulfil the compliance requirements.  

2. Paying Outstanding VAT Liabilities

Companies must clear: 

• Value Added Tax payable.
• Penalties for late payment.
• Administrative penalties.
• Other tax obligations that are outstanding. 

Any amount that you do not pay may result in an approval delay.  

3. Provide Documentation to Support

Based on your reason for deregistering, supporting documentation might include: 

• Cancellation of the trade license
• Documents for business closure
• Financial statements
• Evidence that taxable supplies have stopped
• Applicable corporate resolutions, wherever
• Corporate resolutions that are relevant, wherever applicable 

The Federal Tax Authority might ask for additional documents if needed.  

4. Maintaining the Tax Records

Even post-deregistration, companies usually need to retain Value Added Tax records for the duration specified under United Arab Emirates’ tax legislation.  

The FTA deregistration requirements are helpful in making sure that companies finish their Value Added Tax duties before they exit the tax system. 

What Documents are Needed for VAT Deregistration? 

While the requirements for documents might vary based on the business’s nature, commonly, companies are required to submit: 

• Emirates ID & copies of the passports of the signatories who are authorised.
• Trade license.
• Certificate of VAT registration.
• Financial statements.
• Value Added Tax return details.
• Information on the bank account (where applicable).
• Proof that supports company closure or decreased taxable turnover.
• Any extra documentation as asked by the Federal Tax Authority. 

When you submit the complete & precise paperwork, it can help reduce processing delays in a significant manner.  

VAT Cancellation Process: Step-By-Step Guide 

Knowing the VAT cancellation process is helpful for companies in preparing the crucial documents & steering clear of needless delays. 

Step 1: Reviewing the Eligibility 

Figure out whether the company you have is able to satisfy the conditions for deregistering mandatorily or voluntarily. Evaluate the recent taxable turnover you have, your potential plans for the business, and your operational status prior to applying.  

Step 2: Finishing the Pending Compliance 

Before beginning your VAT cancellation process, make sure: 

• You have submitted all your Value Added Tax returns.
• You have paid your outstanding VAT.
• You have cleared all your administrative penalties.
• You have readied all your supporting documents.

Only companies that are compliant are likely to get quicker approvals.  

Step 3: Submitting the Application for Deregistration on The FTA’s Portal 

After confirming your eligibility & completing all outstanding tax obligations, visit the FTA’s digital portal and log in with the help of your registered account. Next, you need to navigate to the Value Added Tax section & go with the deregistration option. Put in the information that is required. This includes your deregistration reason, the effective date, and details that support the same. Upload all the crucial documents & thoroughly check the application prior to the submission.  

Step 4: Responding to Any Additional Requests From the FTA 

Once your application is reviewed, the Federal Tax Authority might ask for additional documents or clarification if needed. Companies should respond promptly when it comes to requests like these in order to steer clear of unnecessary processing delays. If companies fail to share the requested details within the desired timeline, it might cause the application to stay pending or simply be rejected.  

Step 5: Receiving the Approval 

After the Federal Tax Authority confirms that you have met all your FTA deregistration requirements, it’ll give its approval to your application & issue a confirmation for VAT deregistration.  

From the effective date of deregistration, the company no longer needs to:  

• Charge Value Added Tax on the supplies that are taxable.
• File their VAT returns periodically (unless particularly needed for past tax periods).
• Fulfil ongoing Value Added Tax registration duties. 

Having said that, it is a must for companies to continue retaining their tax records for the duration specified under the United Arab Emirates’ VAT regulations.  

Typical Mistakes to Avoid When Deregistering VAT 

A lot of companies assume that when they stop their operations, it automatically finishes their Value Added Tax obligations. When in reality, the Federal Tax Authority needs companies to formally finish the process of VAT deregistration prior to cancelling their registration for taxes. 

A few of the typical mistakes include: 

1. Applying Before You File Your Pending Returns 

Applications that are submitted with VAT returns that are outstanding usually tend to see delays or rejection.  

2. Ignoring VAT Liabilities That are Outstanding 

Companies should make sure all Value Added Tax dues, fines, as well as administrative penalties, are settled prior to applying.  

3. Turning in Incomplete Documents 

Often, missing supporting documents can cause extra queries from the Federal Tax Authority, which increases the time of processing.  

4. Deregistering Way Earlier 

Few companies decide to cancel their VAT number in the UAE on an immediate basis after they experience a temporary revenue decline. That said, if you anticipate quick recovery in your turnover, deregistering might not be the best course of action. 

5. Missing the Deadline for Application 

Companies that are eligible for deregistering mandatorily have to apply within the prescribed timeline by the Federal Tax Authority. If the applications are delayed, it might result in administrative penalties. 

Why is Professional Support So Important? 

Although the entire process might look quite straightforward in nature, there is more to VAT deregistration than just submitting a form. 

Companies need to assess: 

• Whether they’re meeting the lawful eligibility conditions.
• Outstanding Value Added Tax liability.
• The final calculations for their VAT returns. 
• Supporting documents.
• Compliance (when it comes to all the FTA deregistration requirements). 

That’s where expert tax consultants such as Shuraa Business Setup come into the picture. They support businesses by helping them avoid mistakes that could result in needless delays, fines, or worse, rejected applications.  

Looking for Seamless VAT Deregistration In the UAE? Trust Shuraa! 

Finishing up VAT deregistration in the correct manner calls for precise planning & complete compliance with the tax regulations of the United Arab Emirates.  

Which is why we, at Shuraa Business Setup, have professional tax consultants who make the entire process simple for you. They help manage every step of your journey, assisting you with: 

• The assessment of your eligibility when it comes to VAT deregistration in the UAE.
• Reviewing the status of your VAT compliance.
• The preparation & submission of the application for deregistration. 
• Making sure all the FTA deregistration requirements have been met.
• The FTA coordination part in your stead.
• Advise on after-deregistration compliance & obligations when it comes to record-keeping.   

No matter if the taxable turnover you have has gone below the set threshold, your company is shutting down, or going through restructuring, we offer comprehensive assistance so you can finish your VAT cancellation process with efficiency & compliance.  

FAQs

Q1. What Happens Once My VAT Gets Deregistered? 

After the approval of your application, your company won’t be recognised as a VAT-registered company. This implies that you won’t be able to: 

• Issue tax invoices that show Value Added Tax.
• Do VAT collections from customers.
• Claim input Value Added Tax when it comes to future business expenses.
• Present your company as having a VAT registration. 

Companies are required to even update their invoices, commercial documentation, systems for accounting, and websites so as to represent their fresh Value Added Tax status. To add, if, in the future, again, your taxable turnover surpasses the mandatory registration threshold, it is a must for you to apply for a fresh Value Added Tax registration. Furthermore, you need to do it within the prescribed timeframe given by the FTA.  

Q2. How Long Does It Take to Deregister VAT? 

Typically, it takes twenty business days. However, the time of processing is based on how accurate your application is & if all the compliance obligations are fulfilled.  

Q3. Is It Possible to Cancel the VAT Number in the UAE Online? 

Yes. As a company, it is possible for you to cancel your VAT number in the UAE. For this, you have to submit your application for deregistration via the FTA’s digital portal along with all needed supporting documentation.  

Q4. How to Determine If a Consultancy is Legitimate for VAT Deregistration in the UAE? 

You can always visit their official website, check out their clientele, and talk to their consultants to know whether they are legitimate and if they can help you with VAT deregistration.  

Q5. Can Shuraa Business Setup Help Me with VAT Deregistration in the UAE? 

Yes. We have expert consultants who deeply understand the UAE tax laws and can help you with VAT deregistration in the UAE. For more details, call us at +971 507775554 or drop us an email at info@shuraa.com.