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Top Accounting Trends in Dubai in 2023

The accounting scene in Dubai has undergone substantial change over the years, and as 2023 approaches, there are a few developments that are anticipated to influence the sector. The top accounting trends listed below are those that are predicted to become prevalent in 2023 and that many accounting companies in Dubai will adopt this year.

Automation and Artificial Intelligence

Automation and artificial intelligence (AI) are set to change the face of accounting in Dubai in 2023. These technologies are expected to streamline the accounting process, making it more efficient and accurate. Automation will eliminate manual data entry and reduce the risk of errors, while AI will help identify patterns and anomalies in data. This will enable accountants to make better-informed decisions and provide clients with more accurate financial insights.

Blockchain Technology

Blockchain technology has been gaining traction in the accounting industry, and Dubai is no exception. The decentralised nature of blockchain technology allows for a more secure and transparent accounting process. Blockchain technology is expected to help accountants in Dubai to reduce fraud, increase transparency, and improve the speed and accuracy of transactions.

Cloud-based Accounting

Although it has been available for a while, cloud-based accounting software is anticipated to become even more well-liked in Dubai by 2023. Cloud-based accounting software makes it simpler for accountants to operate remotely by enabling them to access financial data from anywhere in the world. Additionally, it does away with the need for pricey gear and software, making it a more affordable option for companies of all sizes.

Outsourcing

Outsourcing accounting functions has been a trend for some time now and is expected to continue in 2023. Outsourcing accounting functions to third-party service providers allows businesses to focus on their core competencies, while the service provider takes care of the accounting functions. This trend is expected to gain popularity in Dubai as businesses look for cost-effective solutions to manage their finances.

Sustainability Reporting

In Dubai, sustainability reporting is anticipated to become more significant in 2023. Businesses are expected to declare their environmental actions as the UAE has set lofty sustainability goals. Accountants will be required to monitor and report on different sustainability parameters, including carbon emissions, energy use, and waste management. The adoption of sustainability accounting frameworks and practices in Dubai is anticipated to be sparked by this trend.

Cybersecurity

Businesses in Dubai are increasingly concerned about cybersecurity, and accountants are not exempt from online dangers. To safeguard the financial information of their clients, accountants are anticipated to invest in cybersecurity measures in 2023. Multi-factor authentication will be used, along with encryption and consistent financial data backups.

The accounting industry in Dubai is set to undergo significant changes in 2023, driven by technology, sustainability, and cybersecurity concerns. Professional accounting firms in Dubai that stay ahead of these trends and adapt to the changing landscape are likely to thrive in the years to come!

Common VAT Compliance Issues And How To Avoid Them

Value-added tax (VAT) is a consumption tax levied on goods and services at each stage of production or distribution, based on the value added at that stage. VAT compliance can be challenging for businesses, especially those that operate across multiple jurisdictions. Here are some common VAT compliance issues and how to avoid them. Seek help from reputable VAT firms in Dubai to help your business stay compliant with the law and reach new heights.

Incorrect VAT registration

One of the most common mistakes businesses make is failing to register for VAT in a timely manner. Businesses must register for VAT when their turnover exceeds the registration threshold, which varies by country. Failure to register can result in penalties and interest charges, and may also lead to reputational damage.

To avoid this issue, businesses should regularly review their turnover and ensure they are registered for VAT in all the jurisdictions where they are required to be.

Inaccurate VAT invoices

Another common VAT compliance issue is incorrect or incomplete invoices. VAT invoices must include specific information, such as the VAT registration number of the supplier, the date of supply, the description and quantity of the goods or services supplied, and the amount of VAT charged.

Businesses should ensure that their invoices comply with the relevant VAT regulations and that they keep accurate records of all invoices issued and received.

Failure to charge the correct VAT rate

Different goods and services may be subject to different VAT rates. Businesses must ensure that they charge the correct VAT rate for each transaction and that they are aware of any exemptions or reduced rates that may apply.

To avoid this issue, businesses should keep up-to-date with changes to VAT rates and exemptions, and ensure that their systems are programmed to apply the correct rates.

Incorrect VAT reporting

VAT reporting can be complex, especially for businesses that operate across multiple jurisdictions. Businesses must ensure that they submit accurate and timely VAT returns and that they pay any VAT due on time.

To avoid this issue, businesses should invest in VAT compliance software or services, which can help automate VAT reporting and reduce the risk of errors.

Failure to comply with VAT regulations in other countries

For businesses that operate across multiple jurisdictions, complying with VAT regulations in different countries can be challenging. Each country has its own VAT rules and regulations, and failure to comply can result in penalties and legal action.

To avoid this issue, businesses should seek expert advice on VAT compliance in each country where they operate, and ensure that they have a clear understanding of the relevant regulations.

VAT compliance can be challenging, but by understanding and avoiding these common issues, businesses can reduce the risk of penalties, interest charges, and legal action. Avoid reputational damage by seeking expert advice from a reliable VAT consultancy in Dubai!

Corporate tax planning: Strategies for minimizing your tax liability

Planning your corporate tax in UAE is crucial for legally reducing your company’s tax liability through strategic financial management and compliance with tax laws. The goal of tax planning is to maximize the profits of the business and minimise the amount of taxes paid while maintaining economic stability.

Here are some strategies taken by businesses to minimize tax liability and get burdened by taxes.

Take advantage of tax incentives

Tax incentives such as deductions, credits, and allowances can significantly reduce your tax bill. For example, companies that engage in innovation and technology development are eligible for research and development (R&D) tax credits.

Defer taxable income

By deferring taxable income to a later year, companies can reduce their tax liability in the current year. This can be achieved by delaying the recognition of income or by accelerating the recognition of expenses.

Utilize tax-efficient investments

Invest in tax-efficient assets such as corporate bonds and diversify contributions to tax-efficient account types to avoid tax liabilities. Assets such as exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or mutual funds that focus on tax-advantaged investments can be some of the considerations.

By offering a range of rewards to the company’s personnel

One of the main tax-reduction strategies used by large multinational corporations is the grant of stock options. This involves giving employees a set number of company shares at a set price in exchange for their services, which will ultimately enable the business to report a higher profit margin to shareholders while paying less tax to the IRS.

Choosing assets that are tax-efficient

Offshoring the corporate entity’s profits and making investments abroad where there are tax advantages, such as 0% tax on cooperative tax, are further precautions that can be implemented. These actions can only be taken by large cooperative bodies because they require enormous capital. Shifting the profit and investing in offshore entities allows the entity to benefit from a zero per cent tax rate because the profit generated offshore cannot be charged in UAE.

Optimize capital structure

A company’s capital structure, including the mix of debt and equity, can significantly impact its tax liability. Companies can minimize their tax bill by optimizing their capital structure to reduce the interest expense on debt and increase the return on equity.

Consider tax planning when making business decisions

Companies should consider the tax implications of all business decisions, including mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, and business expansion. These decisions can have a significant impact on a company’s tax liability and should be carefully considered in the context of a comprehensive tax plan.

Utilize tax-free reorganizations

Tax-free reorganizations, such as mergers and acquisitions, can provide opportunities to minimize a company’s tax liability. These transactions can result in significant tax savings, provided they are structured properly and comply with tax laws.

Tax laws are constantly changing in the UAE, and companies must stay informed of these changes to ensure they are taking advantage of all available tax incentives and minimizing their tax liability. Seek advice from reputed accounting consultancy firms in UAE regarding corporate tax and precautions against liabilities.

VAT Return Filing in UAE: A Detailed Guide

What is VAT Return?

The VAT (Value Added Tax) return is the summary of all the purchases and supplies (goods or services) made by VAT-registered businesses/taxable individuals for a particular tax period. This summary, including the details of the tax imposed at every stage of sale/purchase, reflects the tax liability of the taxable persons – which is to be submitted to the Federal Tax Authority (FTA).

Want a seamless VAT return filing in Dubai? Get professional assistance in achieving UAE VAT compliance from experts at TRC Pamco.

VAT Filing in UAE – The Complete Procedure

Open E-Services Portal

Firstly, go to the FTA e-services portal. Log in with your VAT account’s credentials to access the dashboard which will show the basic details of your tax registration, currently active and associated with the FTA.

Click VAT Tab

In the navigation bar (placed on the uppermost part of the screen), click the VAT tab and from the dropdown menu, select ‘VAT 201 – VAT Returns’. Now, click on the ‘VAT 201 – New VAT Return’ to start the procedure.

Enter Information

Here, a few details of the taxable person like name, tax registration number, etc. will have to be filled in.

Mentioning VAT Sales and Expenses

For the current tax period, all the relevant details of VAT sales and expenses – like the zero-rated supplies, exempt supplies, etc. – have to be submitted. Also, all the expenses bearing the current VAT rate of 5% are to be submitted.

Due Net VAT Calculations

The taxable person’s net VAT due calculations have to be shown here. For the due amount that is higher than the recoverable amount, the tax authority is to be paid. If vice versa, a VAT refund can be claimed.

Declaration

Through the ‘Declaration and Authorized Signatory’ portion, you declare the accuracy and correctness of all the information provided to the Federal Tax Authority.

Through the above-mentioned process, you/your expert tax consultant can carry out the VAT filing in UAE.

Why choose a DMCC Approved Auditor?

What is DMCC?

A businessperson well-understands the importance of a trade-friendly ecosystem and business-favouring conditions, including infrastructural setup, for their business to make the most of it and thrive ahead. And to implement these factors in order to attract and nurture different kinds and scales of businesses, the Dubai government commenced the concept of Free Zones wherein an array of perks like cheap labour, access to raw materials, appropriate locations, certain tax benefits and exemptions were offered.

DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre) is one such Free Zone that enables organisations to leverage the business-centric conditions and propel a profitable and advantageous business.

Get market-best business solutions from experienced auditing firms in Abu Dhabi and give your new endeavour a great beginning!

Why go ahead with DMCC Approved Auditors?

Well, when it comes to choosing the auditors for your company based in the free zone, you must comply with the rule that directs only a DMCC approved auditor to carry out your company’s financial audit.

The DMCC approved auditor would be well-acquainted with all the necessary things to be taken care of – like the audit report of the company must be according to Section 11 of the regulations of the company set by the DMCC Management. Also, the approved auditor will make sure that the report has been signed and stamped by the company’s board of directors.

What are an auditor’s roles and responsibilities?

Firstly, the auditor will ascertain that there are no inconsistencies, misstatements, or incorrect financial data presented in the company’s annual financial accounts. The auditor will also ensure that the reports are prepared as per the directions and standards set by the IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standard).

Auditing Firms in Abu Dhabi

Give your business the luxury of making the most of a superlative range of services like Auditing, Advisory Services, Management Consulting, Accounting, and much more with the highly acclaimed and experiential professionals of TRC PAMCO.

Everything You Need to Know About 2022 UAE Business VAT Refund Scheme

Under the VAT guidelines – the Federal Tax Authority has crafted a scheme for the business visitors, wherein they can file a refund claim of VAT paid on expenses incurred in the UAE – thereby globalizing the UAE economy.

Earlier this year, in March 2022, the FTA announced that they will accept refund applications for the UAE VAT refund for the Foreign Business scheme. Non-UAE resident businesses need to understand whether they have incurred VAT and if they qualify for a refund. Here is all you need to know about the VAT Refund Scheme:

Who is eligible? Only qualifying non-UAE resident businesses, on certain expenses incurred during 2021 calendar year, and totaling more than AED 2000. Further, they should fulfill the below criteria:

Not have any VAT registrations in the UAE
Not conduct business in the UAE
Must be registered with a competent authority and conduct business in that jurisdiction.

Under the below situations, a business will not be eligible for VAT refunds:

A business supplies products/services in the UAE
The tax incurred is one that is irrecoverable by VAT registrants in the UAE
The FTA has listed eligible countries, so if your business is not one from the listed countries
A non-resident tour operator

Now, the most important part to filing VAT refunds is the documentation process, which might not necessarily be the easiest, which is where you need VAT consultants in UAE. For the business VAT refund scheme, the below original hard copy documentation is a must:

Original tax compliance certificate
Original tax invoices
Stamped proof of the payments for all the claimed tax invoices
Proof of authority of authorized signatory
Passport copy of authorized signatory

While this can get overwhelming, TRC Pamco – a firm providing VAT advisory services, can help you in application of VAT refund, review of documentation, preparation of details as required by FTA and continuous follow-up with FTA to expedite the refund process. They also advise you on the best foot forward to getting a hustle free VAT refund.

External Audit and its types

External Audit is the examination or inspection of various books of accounts by an auditor followed by physical checking of inventory to make sure that all departments are following documented system of recording transactions.

The purpose of an audit is to form a view on whether the information presented in the financial report, taken as a whole, reflects the financial position of the organization at a given date. There are various types of external audits, each conducted to provide assurance to the investors, detect any errors and frauds, check accounting policies and verify accounts and statements.

The different types of External Audit include:

Financial Audit: A financial audit is an opinion engagement – performed independently by an audit professional – who is acting with due diligence, working in line with the professional standards, and preparing an audit report for the consumption of investors and management, to aid in decision-making, leading to business growth.

Compliance Audit: A compliance audit is one conducted in many large-scale enterprises for data privacy and critical infrastructure protection. A compliance audit ensures that the established rules and procedures are followed to ensure the above.

Operational Audit: An operational audit is nothing but a thorough check on the processes being followed within an organization. The objective for this is clear – where can there be process improvements to minimize risk and maximize growth within the company? Through an operational audit, an audit develops recommendations for improvement, thereby simplifying methods being followed. Simultaneously, auditing services in DAFZA also include statutory audits, which are performed keeping in mind the requirements of the free zone.

The goal for all external audits is simple – to ensure that every organization adheres to managerial procedures and requirements, and to provide an opinion on the organization’s financial statements.

Is your business looking for external audit services in UAE? Check out TRC Pamco, a leading auditing company in UAE to help you conduct effective and efficient external audit services.

10 Most Common VAT-Related Mistakes that UAE Businesses Should Avoid

Ever since the introduction of VAT in the UAE – there have been questions and some more. With regulated tax agents in the UAE – businesses are trying to sort their VAT-related issues, given the heavy penalties charged on non-compliance. Here are a couple of common mistakes that businesses tend to make and must always avoid.

It’s important to record the sale in the correct emirate – it isn’t dependent on the customer location but on the location of your fixed business.
Most businesses fail to notify the FTA that tax is based on margins, wherein if you are selling certain goods like coins, stamps, and second-hand goods – you must charge VAT on the profit margin.
Not having an invoice-wise working of the returns – it’s important to maintain this, because if ever the FTA demands an audit – these details will be required.
It’s crucial to file returns and make payments on time, or else there is a heavy penalty levied on the business. Given that most businesses tend to miss out on dates, it’s important to indulge in VAT consultancy services in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Be careful of the claims – and ensure you are making the right claims and on the right purchases.
If your business makes a zero-rated sale or an exempt sale – it doesn’t mean that you don’t show it. Even if you file everything properly and miss out on this information – it can have repercussions. Identify and disclose them in your return submission.
Reverse Charging Mechanisms is another place where businesses need to be careful. While disclosing transactions for returns, companies fail to disclose the reverse charging mechanisms, given they don’t have any tax effect.
Timing is crucial when it comes to VAT, and it should be charged at the right time. There have been instances where businesses fail to insert supplies in the wrong returns, although they are supplied much later.

These are a few of the common VAT-related mistakes that businesses make. However, if you want to avoid this, it’s good to indulge in VAT health check services in UAE and stay in compliance with the VAT laws. To know more, reach out to TRC Pamco, a leading VAT consultancy in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Your UAE partner in growth, compliance and risk management

TRC Pamco is a leading boutique audit and consulting firm in the Emirates

TRC Pamco is a leading boutique audit and consulting firm based in the UAE that draws from its tactical knowledge of its existence in the region for close to two decades. Having managed the governance and risk for businesses in a multi-faceted environment, it has allowed the team of 50+ strong committed and qualified professionals to enhance the organisational capabilities of their clients who range from a wide variety of industries. TRC’s niche capabilities of managing risks in new and dynamic growth-oriented business structures lie in its philosophy of buttressing the ‘Four Ps of Governance:’

• People

• Process

• Performance

• Purpose

TRC Pamco has the core philosophy of providing the best of professional services to its clients with the objective of creating a seamless governance structure that helps enhance the efficiency of its business operations while adhering to the principles of the applicable assurance and compliance framework. TRC Pamco has a varied team of professionals who come together to operate specialised analytically backed regulatory and compliance processes within the ever evolving businesses of large organisations.

Tax, which happens to be the new buzzword in this region is something that is easily assimilable for their professionals who have had years of experience in actively ensuring proper regulatory management for varied organisations.

Manan Chadha, a qualified lawyer who has worked with boutique law firms globally and currently heads the operations at TRC brings with him an extensive experience in engaging with global regulators on regulatory issues and advises clients on how to effectively and compliantly administer commercially successful businesses. He has successfully assisted a number of clients on complex tax and compliance related matters and has gathered valuable experience in running smooth and efficient business functions in a highly organised regulatory environment.

Chadha is a third generation professional who aims to continue the legacy of his grandfather – the late Shri Tilak Raj Chadha who set up TR Chadha & Co LLP, one of India’s oldest CA firms, set up in 1946.

Chadha says “Our legacy is not only about the growth of the organisation; it is also the knowledge that we create together and the advancement of the profession itself. At TRC, we have a long-standing reputation for trust that is built on the experience of financial reporting and compliance and we are constantly looking for ways both to enhance the quality of our work and also to meet and exceed the expectations of our clients and stakeholders. In today’s dynamic business environment, change is a constant and as competition grows and our client needs and expectations expand, we have continuously evolved to help our clients and associates thrive.”

TRC Pamco is set to further expand its footprint into the GCC countries in its next phase of expansion and development of services.

Corporate Tax in UAE – Everything You Need to Know

The UAE is known for its expansive landscape, and with it becoming an international business hub, which was tax-free until now – it’s imperative that the implications of Corporate Tax in Dubai need to be evaluated by all the stakeholders and devise a constructive way forward.

Last month, the Ministry of Finance in the UAE introduced a 9% Corporate Tax, applicable for financial years starting on or after 1st June 2023. This created quite an uproar, but with effectively managing compliance responsibilities, developing plans, and proactively managing risks – the implications can be handled well.

The Corporate Tax Rates will be 0% for taxable income up to AED 375,000, 9% for taxable income above AED 375,000, and a different tax rate for larger multi-nationals having a consolidated revenue exceeding EUR 750 million, and that meet the criteria set based on ‘Pillar 2’ of the OECD Base Erosion and Profit Shifting Project.

It will also allow businesses to use losses incurred with effect from the Corporate Tax effective date for any business, to offset the taxable income in subsequent financial periods. It will also allow tax credit against UAE Corporate Tax liability if the Foreign Corporate Tax is paid on UAE taxable income.

If you are wondering about the risks to your business, and need a more detailed understanding – it’s best to get in touch with TRC Pamco, one of the leading accounting and taxation firms, providing Corporate Tax Services in the UAE – and they can help you maximize opportunities by:

Reviewing your current business structure
Conducting an in-depth analysis of the possible impact on all the activities undertaken by your business
Suggesting a strategic alignment to optimize it for tax purposes
Engaging with management on the optimal structure for your business and devising a prudent and tax-efficient structure considering your requirements.

Get in touch with TRC Pamco today!