Answer:
Businesses in the UAE are required to maintain and retain accounting and tax-related records that support their activities and demonstrate compliance with tax obligations, in accordance with VAT and tax procedures legislation.
According to Article 72 of Cabinet Decision No. 52 of 2017, taxable persons must keep detailed records of all goods and services supplied by them or on their behalf. These records must include sufficient details to identify the goods and services, as well as the suppliers and agents involved. Businesses must also maintain documents proving the Emirate in which the fixed establishment related to the supply is located.
Specific rules apply to electronic commerce: if the value of taxable supplies via electronic channels exceeds AED 100 million during the calendar year, records must be kept to prove the Emirate in which the supply was received, for a defined period (18 months or 2 years depending on when the threshold was exceeded).
Under Article 3 of Cabinet Decision No. 74 of 2023, all persons subject to tax must retain the following:
• Accounting records,
• tax invoic...