FTA Audit Representation in the UAE
Receiving an FTA audit notification can be unsettling, but it does not have to be. The FTA conducts tax audits to verify that businesses have met their VAT and corporate tax obligations. With proper preparation and experienced representation, an FTA audit is a manageable process. ZAMA’s FTA-registered advisors represent your business throughout the audit, communicating with the FTA on your behalf, managing document requests, and protecting your position at every stage.
What Is an FTA Tax Audit?
The FTA is empowered under UAE tax law to conduct audits of any registered taxable person: to verify the accuracy of tax returns, confirm that VAT has been correctly charged and accounted for, and assess whether corporate tax obligations have been met. Audits may be triggered by risk-based selection, random sampling, or specific indicators in your filing history.
The FTA may request records, invoices, contracts, accounting data, and any other documentation relevant to your tax affairs. You are required to cooperate and provide requested information within specified timeframes. Failure to cooperate, or providing inaccurate information, can result in significant penalties.
Our FTA Audit Representation Service
Immediate Assessment
As soon as you receive an FTA audit notification, contact ZAMA. We review the notification, assess the scope of the audit, and advise on your rights and obligations before you respond to the FTA.
Pre-Audit Preparation
We review your records for the audit period, identify any areas of potential exposure, and prepare a comprehensive documentation package to support your filing positions.
FTA Communication Management
We manage all communication with the FTA audit team on your behalf, responding to requests, attending meetings, and ensuring the process proceeds on your terms within the FTA’s timeframes.
Outcome Negotiation
If the audit identifies discrepancies or proposed adjustments, we review the FTA’s findings, challenge incorrect assessments, and negotiate the outcome, including any penalties, on your behalf.
Frequently Asked Questions
FTA audit timelines vary significantly depending on the scope and complexity of the review. A straightforward VAT audit may conclude within a few weeks; a broader audit covering multiple tax periods and transaction types can take several months. ZAMA manages the process to keep it moving efficiently.
Common audit document requests include: VAT returns and supporting calculations, tax invoices (sales and purchases), contracts and agreements, bank statements, accounting records, import and export documentation, and intercompany transaction records. ZAMA prepares a complete document package mapped to the FTA’s request.
Yes. The FTA has the authority to audit a business’s compliance with both VAT and corporate tax obligations. These may be conducted separately or simultaneously. ZAMA’s team covers both, ensuring a coordinated, consistent response across both tax regimes.
Contact ZAMA immediately. Do not respond to the FTA directly without professional advice. The first steps (reviewing the scope, assessing your records, and formally appointing ZAMA as your tax agent) set the foundation for a successful audit outcome.
Don’t Face an FTA Audit Alone.
ZAMA’s FTA-registered team takes the pressure off, managing every aspect of your UAE tax audit from notification through to resolution.