VAT Deregistration
in the UAE
Starting at AED 499
Cancel your VAT registration with the Federal Tax Authority through EmaraTax. We handle the full process — from eligibility check to getting your deregistration certificate.
VAT Deregistration — All-Inclusive
Complete FTA deregistration with final return
- ✓ Eligibility assessment & compliance check
- ✓ EmaraTax portal submission
- ✓ Final VAT return preparation & filing
- ✓ FTA liaison & follow-up until approval
- ✓ Deregistration certificate delivery
- ✓ Penalty avoidance guarantee
What Is VAT Deregistration in the UAE?
VAT deregistration is the formal process of cancelling your business's VAT registration with the UAE Federal Tax Authority (FTA). Once your deregistration application is approved, your Tax Registration Number (TRN) becomes inactive, and you are no longer required to charge VAT at 5% on your supplies or file periodic VAT returns.
The process is conducted entirely online through the EmaraTax portal. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017 on VAT and Cabinet Decision No. 52 of 2017, the FTA requires businesses to apply for deregistration when they cease making taxable supplies, their turnover drops below the threshold, or the business undergoes structural changes such as liquidation or merger. Articles 21, 22 and 23 of the VAT Law define the specific conditions for mandatory and voluntary deregistration.
⚠️ Important: You must apply within 20 business days of becoming eligible for deregistration. Missing this deadline triggers automatic penalties starting at AED 1,000 per month.
Key Thresholds to Know
| Threshold | Amount (AED) | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| Below Voluntary | Below 187,500 | Mandatory deregistration |
| Between Thresholds | 187,500 – 375,000 | Voluntary deregistration |
| Mandatory Registration | Above 375,000 | Must stay registered |
Why Choose Fastlane for VAT Deregistration in Dubai & UAE?
We make your VAT deregistration fast, compliant, and stress-free. Cancel your VAT registration correctly and avoid FTA penalties.
FTA-Registered Tax Agents
We are approved tax agents registered with the Federal Tax Authority. Our team handles complex deregistration cases daily across all emirates.
Same-Day EmaraTax Filing
Submit your application the same day you engage us. No delays, no missed deadlines, no accumulating penalties.
AED 499 All-Inclusive
One transparent fee covers everything — eligibility check, application filing, final VAT return, FTA follow-up, and deregistration certificate.
Penalty Prevention
We ensure your application meets every FTA requirement before submission, preventing rejections and avoiding the AED 10,000 penalty.
Need quick clarity on VAT deregistration?
Our VAT experts are available on WhatsApp for instant guidance.
When Is VAT Deregistration Required in the UAE?
Under UAE VAT law (Articles 21-23), you must apply for VAT deregistration with the FTA within 20 business days if any of the following apply:
Business Ceased Operations
Your company has permanently stopped making taxable supplies of goods or services in the UAE.
Turnover Below AED 187,500
Your taxable supplies in the past 12 months fell below the voluntary VAT registration threshold of AED 187,500.
Company Liquidation or Dissolution
The business is being formally wound up, dissolved, or undergoing liquidation proceedings.
Merger or Acquisition
The entity has merged with another business, or ownership has been transferred to a new entity.
Voluntary Deregistration
Turnover is between AED 187,500 and AED 375,000 — you may choose to voluntarily cancel your VAT registration.
Tax Group Deregistration
The entity no longer meets the financial, economic, or regulatory association requirements to remain in a VAT group.
⚠️ VAT Deregistration Penalties
Missing the 20 business day deadline for mandatory deregistration triggers automatic FTA penalties. Don’t let delays cost your business.
Get Urgent Help| Delay Period | Penalty (AED) |
|---|---|
| 1st month late | 1,000 |
| 2nd month | 2,000 |
| 3rd month | 3,000 |
| 6th month | 6,000 |
| 10+ months (max) | 10,000 |
Mandatory vs Voluntary VAT Deregistration in UAE
Understanding which type applies to your business determines the deadline and process you must follow.
| Criteria | Mandatory Deregistration | Voluntary Deregistration |
|---|---|---|
| When It Applies | Taxable supplies below AED 187,500 or business ceased | Taxable supplies between AED 187,500 – AED 375,000 |
| Deadline | Within 20 business days | No fixed deadline |
| 12-Month Restriction | Not applicable | Cannot deregister within 12 months of voluntary registration |
| Penalty for Delay | AED 1,000/month up to AED 10,000 | No penalty for delay |
| FTA Initiated? | Yes — FTA can deregister you if non-compliant | No — initiated by the business only |
Our VAT Deregistration Process
A streamlined 4-step approach to get your VAT deregistration approved through EmaraTax.
Eligibility Review
We assess your turnover, VAT return history, and outstanding liabilities to confirm you qualify for deregistration.
Document Collection
We collect your trade license and EmaraTax login, then prepare all declarations and supporting documents for your signature.
EmaraTax Submission
We complete and submit your VAT deregistration application on the FTA portal with accurate data and supporting files.
Approval & Certificate
We handle FTA queries, file your final VAT return within 28 days, and deliver your official deregistration certificate.
Documents Required for VAT Deregistration in UAE
You only need to provide 2 documents — we prepare all declarations and handle everything else on your behalf.
Trade License Copy
Your current trade license — or cancelled trade license if your license has already been revoked or the company is being liquidated
EmaraTax Login Details
Your EmaraTax portal credentials (username & password) or UAE Pass access so we can submit the deregistration application
✅ We handle the rest: All required declarations, board resolutions, financial data submissions, and supporting documents are prepared by our team and shared with you for signature before filing.
VAT Deregistration — All-Inclusive AED 499
One package. No hidden fees. Includes final VAT return filing.
VAT Deregistration Package
Complete deregistration & final return filing
- ✓ Full eligibility assessment
- ✓ EmaraTax application submission
- ✓ Final VAT return preparation & filing
- ✓ All declarations & documents prepared for you
- ✓ FTA liaison & query responses
- ✓ Outstanding liability settlement guidance
- ✓ Official deregistration certificate
💡 Need corporate tax deregistration too? Bundle with CT deregistration from AED 399. Learn more →
What Our Clients Say
“Fastlane handled our VAT deregistration smoothly. They submitted everything on EmaraTax within a day and we got our deregistration certificate in under 3 weeks. Highly recommend.”
Ahmed K.
Trading Company • Dubai
“We were worried about penalties since we were almost past the 20-day deadline. Fastlane filed the application urgently and saved us from the AED 10,000 fine. Excellent service.”
Sarah M.
E-Commerce Business • Abu Dhabi
“Professional team that knows the FTA process inside out. They prepared all documents, filed the final VAT return, and handled every FTA query. The AED 499 price is unbeatable.”
Raj P.
IT Services • DMCC Free Zone
What Happens After VAT Deregistration in UAE?
Once the FTA approves your deregistration, there are important obligations and effects to be aware of under Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017.
Final VAT Return Filing
You must submit your final VAT return and settle all outstanding liabilities within 28 days from the effective deregistration date. The FTA generates this return on EmaraTax after pre-approval.
TRN Becomes Inactive
Your Tax Registration Number is deactivated. Your EmaraTax account remains accessible, but the VAT status changes to “Deregistered”. You can no longer charge VAT or claim input tax.
Record Retention — 5 Years Minimum
You must maintain all VAT invoices, receipts, and FTA correspondence for at least 5 years from the end of the relevant financial year. Capital asset records must be kept for 10 years, and real estate records for 15 years.
No More VAT on Supplies
Once deregistered, you cannot charge VAT on sales. This may lower your prices for non-VAT-registered customers, but you can no longer reclaim input VAT on purchases.
Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS)
If your business is registered under the Tourist Refund Scheme, you must complete TRS deregistration before the FTA will fully process your VAT deregistration.
Re-Registration Is Possible
If you wish to register for VAT again in the future, you can submit a fresh VAT registration application and obtain a new TRN. Your previous VAT number cannot be reactivated.
Common Reasons FTA Rejects VAT Deregistration Applications
These are the most common errors businesses make when applying for VAT deregistration. Fastlane ensures none of these apply to your application.
Unfiled VAT Returns
All pending VAT returns must be submitted before the FTA will accept your deregistration application. Even zero returns must be filed.
Outstanding Tax Liabilities
Any unpaid VAT, penalties, or administrative fines must be fully settled. The FTA will not approve deregistration with an outstanding balance.
Missed 20-Day Deadline
Failing to apply within 20 business days of becoming eligible results in penalties of AED 1,000/month up to AED 10,000 under Cabinet Resolution No. 40 of 2017.
Incorrect Deregistration Basis
Selecting the wrong reason for deregistration or providing inaccurate turnover figures leads to FTA queries, delays, or outright rejection.
Applying Within 12 Months
If you voluntarily registered for VAT, you cannot apply for deregistration within 12 months of the registration date as per Article 23 of the VAT Law.
Incomplete Documentation
Missing trade license copy, unsigned declarations, or incorrect financial data will cause the FTA to request additional information, delaying the process by weeks.
FAQ — VAT Deregistration UAE
VAT deregistration is the official process of cancelling your VAT registration with the FTA. Once approved, your TRN is deactivated and you no longer need to charge VAT on supplies or file VAT returns.
It becomes mandatory when your business stops making taxable supplies entirely, or when your taxable supplies over the preceding 12 months fall below the voluntary threshold of AED 187,500. You must apply within 20 business days.
Yes. If your taxable supplies are between AED 187,500 and AED 375,000, you may apply for voluntary deregistration. However, businesses that voluntarily registered cannot deregister within the first 12 months.
The FTA imposes AED 1,000 for the first month of delay, plus AED 1,000 per subsequent month, up to a maximum of AED 10,000. This applies only to mandatory deregistration deadlines.
You only need to provide your trade license copy (cancelled trade license if the license has been revoked) and your EmaraTax login details. We prepare all required declarations, board resolutions, and supporting documents on your behalf and share them with you for signature before filing.
The FTA typically processes a complete application within 20 business days. If additional information is requested, it may take a further 20 business days after receiving the updated documents.
Yes. Once your deregistration is pre-approved, the FTA generates a final VAT return. You must submit this and settle all outstanding liabilities within 28 days from the effective deregistration date.
Yes. FTA may reject your application if VAT returns are unfiled, taxes or penalties remain unpaid, conditions are not met, or the application was submitted beyond 20 business days.
Your TRN becomes inactive. Your EmaraTax account remains accessible but the VAT status changes to “Deregistered”. You can no longer charge VAT or claim input tax credits.
AED 499 all-inclusive. This covers eligibility assessment, document preparation, EmaraTax submission, final VAT return filing, and complete FTA liaison until your deregistration certificate is issued.
You must maintain all VAT invoices, receipts, and FTA correspondence for at least 5 years. Records related to capital assets must be kept for 10 years, and real estate records for 15 years from the end of the relevant tax period.
If your company is registered under TRS, you must complete TRS deregistration first. The FTA will not fully process your VAT deregistration until TRS cancellation is confirmed.
Cancel Your VAT Registration Today!
Don’t risk AED 10,000 in penalties. Our VAT experts handle your entire deregistration process from AED 499.
👤 Reviewed by Fastlane VAT Advisory Team — Our team of FTA-registered tax agents with 8+ years of UAE tax compliance experience has reviewed this content for accuracy and completeness. This page reflects the latest UAE VAT law requirements as of March 2026, including Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017 on VAT, Cabinet Decision No. 52 of 2017, and the latest FTA administrative penalty decisions.