Understanding Input Tax Apportionment in the UAE: A Practical Guide

Input tax apportionment is a critical aspect of UAE VAT compliance, especially for businesses that make both taxable and exempt supplies. While businesses can recover VAT on taxable activities, VAT on exempt activities is non-recoverable, requiring businesses to apportion input tax correctly.

This article provides a practical approach to input tax apportionment, covering standard and special methods with real-world examples. By the end, you will understand how to apply these methods correctly and how Fastlane can support your VAT compliance.

1. Standard Input Tax Apportionment

How should a business apportion input tax when it incurs VAT on expenses used for both taxable and exempt supplies?

A business can recover input VAT in full if the expense relates solely to taxable supplies. If an expense relates to both taxable and exempt activities, it must be apportioned based on the percentage of taxable revenue.


Practical Example:

  • A consulting firm provides VAT-taxable advisory services and exempt financial services.
  • 70% of its revenue comes from taxable services and 30% from exempt services.
  • The firm incurs AED 100,000 in VAT on business expenses.
  • Using the revenue-based apportionment method:
    • Recoverable VAT: 70% of AED 100,000 = AED 70,000
    • Non-recoverable VAT: 30% of AED 100,000 = AED 30,000


Key Takeaway:

If a business incurs expenses for both taxable and exempt supplies, it must allocate VAT using a fair apportionment basis, typically revenue percentage.


2. Direct Attribution vs. Residual Input Tax

How can businesses classify expenses into fully recoverable, non-recoverable, and partially recoverable (residual) input tax?

Explanation:

  • Fully Recoverable VAT: Expenses directly linked to taxable supplies.
  • Non-Recoverable VAT: Expenses directly linked to exempt supplies.
  • Residual VAT: Expenses used for both taxable and exempt supplies, requiring apportionment.


Practical Example:

A training and consulting firm has the following expenses:

  • Marketing for consulting services (AED 20,000) → Fully recoverable
  • Training materials for exempt courses (AED 10,000) → Non-recoverable
  • Office rent (AED 50,000) & Software (AED 15,000) → Used for both activities → Apportioned (60% taxable, 40% exempt)


Key Takeaway:

Identify and directly attribute expenses whenever possible to maximize VAT recovery and only apportion residual input tax when necessary.

3. Annual Washup Adjustment

How should businesses adjust their input VAT at year-end to align with actual recoverable amounts?

Explanation:

At the end of the tax year, businesses must perform a washup adjustment to correct any over-recovery or under-recovery of input tax.

Practical Example:

  • Quarterly VAT recovered: AED 210,000
  • Actual recoverable VAT after washup calculation: AED 195,000
  • Adjustment required: AED 15,000 reduction in VAT recoverable in the next return.

Key Takeaway:

Businesses must perform an annual reconciliation and adjust their VAT recovery if it differs from the calculated actual use.

4. Special Apportionment Methods

What special input tax apportionment methods are available when the standard method is unfair?

Explanation:

If the standard method does not fairly represent a business’s taxable and exempt activities, the FTA allows businesses to apply for a special method:

  1. Outputs-based Method → Proportion based on taxable revenue.
  2. Transaction Count Method → Proportion based on taxable vs. exempt transactions.
  3. Floorspace Method → For businesses like real estate, VAT is apportioned based on taxable vs. exempt property areas.
  4. Sectoral Method → Used by businesses with multiple divisions (e.g., banking & insurance).


Practical Example:

A real estate company rents both commercial and residential properties and incurs VAT on:

  • Advertising → Use Outputs-based method (apportioned by revenue from taxable vs. exempt rentals).
  • Building Maintenance & Utilities → Use Floorspace method (apportioned based on commercial vs. residential space used).


Key Takeaway:

Businesses can apply for special apportionment methods that better reflect their business operations if the standard method is not suitable.


5. Applying for a Special Method

Who is eligible to apply for a special input tax apportionment method?

Explanation:

A business must meet all the following conditions:

  • Registered for VAT for at least 6 months.
  • Makes both taxable and exempt supplies.
  • Can prove that the standard method does not yield a fair result.

Practical Example:

A financial services company offering both taxable consulting and exempt loan services wants to apply for the Transaction Count Method. To qualify, it:

  1. Provides 12 months of historical VAT calculations.
  2. Justifies that a transaction-based approach reflects actual VAT use better than revenue-based apportionment.
  3. Applies through Emaratax for approval.

Key Takeaway:

Businesses must provide detailed financial justifications and meet FTA conditions to apply for a special VAT apportionment method.

How Fastlane Can Help

VAT compliance, especially input tax apportionment, requires precision. Fastlane Consultancy can help businesses:

  • Assess the correct VAT apportionment method to maximize recoverable VAT.
  • Perform annual washup adjustments to avoid errors in VAT filings.
  • Prepare and submit special apportionment applications to the FTA.
  • Ensure compliance with the latest UAE VAT regulations and updates.

With Fastlane, businesses can focus on operations and growth while ensuring their VAT obligations are managed efficiently and accurately. Contact us today to streamline your VAT compliance!


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