Invoicing in the UAE

How to invoice in the UAE

TRN, 5% VAT, AED, IBAN and Aani. The fields a UAE tax invoice needs, and what changes as e-invoicing rolls out from 2026 — handled without forcing you into a US-style template.

The shape of a UAE tax invoice

The Federal Tax Authority sets out what a tax invoice must contain. For a full tax invoice, roughly:

  • The words "Tax Invoice" clearly shown (if you are VAT-registered)
  • Your name, address, and Tax Registration Number (TRN)
  • The buyer's name, address, and TRN where the buyer is VAT-registered
  • A sequential invoice number and the date of issue (and date of supply, if different)
  • A description of the goods or services, with quantity and unit price in AED
  • The VAT rate and amount in AED, and the gross total

A simplified tax invoice is allowed for supplies under AED 10,000 or retail sales. For the authoritative current rules, see the Federal Tax Authority.

The UAE-specific fields JupiterInvoice handles

TRN, 5% VAT, and the right wording

Add your 15-digit TRN to your sender profile once and it appears on every invoice. The tax label defaults to VAT at 5%. Mark the document as 'Tax Invoice' when you are VAT-registered, or plain 'Invoice' if you are below the threshold.

AED and the IBAN buyers need

Bank details support the UAE IBAN (AE + 21 digits) so your client's finance team can pay by local transfer. Click-to-copy so they can paste it straight into their banking portal without a typo.

Aani, and international by SWIFT

Add an Aani alias for instant local payment, the IBAN for standard bank transfer, and SWIFT/BIC for overseas clients. Whatever rail your client uses, the details are on the invoice.

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The bits that actually slow UAE invoices down

The format is straightforward. The friction is everything around it — and the rules are about to change.

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E-invoicing is coming in 2026

The UAE e-invoicing programme moves to mandatory structured invoicing for large taxpayers from July 2026 and the rest from 2027, using a PEPPOL-based model. Sending a clean, well-structured invoice now makes that transition far less painful.

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Missing or wrong TRN

If your client is VAT-registered and your TRN is missing or mistyped, their bookkeeper cannot reclaim the input VAT. JupiterInvoice carries your TRN on every invoice so it is never left off.

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Free-zone vs mainland confusion

Clients often need to know which entity they are paying — your free-zone company, your mainland LLC, or your freelance permit. JupiterInvoice carries multiple sender profiles so you invoice as the right entity every time.

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PO numbers from large corporates and government

Big buyers and government bodies in the UAE require a PO on the invoice before AP will process it. JupiterInvoice lets your client add the PO directly without you reissuing the document.

UAE invoicing FAQ

Do I have to charge VAT on my UAE invoices?
Only if you are VAT-registered. Registration is mandatory once your taxable turnover passes AED 375,000 a year, and voluntary from AED 187,500. Below that you do not charge VAT, and your document is an 'Invoice' rather than a 'Tax Invoice'.
What is a TRN and does it have to be on the invoice?
The TRN (Tax Registration Number) is the 15-digit number the Federal Tax Authority issues when you register for VAT. If you are registered, your TRN must appear on every tax invoice. If your buyer is also registered, their TRN should appear too.
What is the difference between a tax invoice and a simplified tax invoice?
A full tax invoice carries both parties' details and a line-by-line VAT breakdown. A simplified tax invoice is permitted for supplies under AED 10,000 or for retail, and needs less detail. JupiterInvoice produces a full tax invoice by default, which is always acceptable.
Can I invoice a UAE client in a foreign currency?
Yes, this is common for international work. If you are VAT-registered, the VAT amount generally still has to be shown in AED using an approved exchange rate. JupiterInvoice supports multi-currency invoices and a historical FX rate by invoice date.
How will UAE e-invoicing affect me?
The UAE is phasing in mandatory e-invoicing from July 2026 for large taxpayers and 2027 for the rest, using a PEPPOL-style model that exchanges structured invoices between accredited service providers. Sending clean, complete invoices now puts you in a good position for that change.
How long do I need to keep my invoices?
The FTA generally requires VAT records, including invoices, to be retained for at least five years (longer for real-estate records). JupiterInvoice retains every version of every invoice indefinitely.

A note on what this is. This page is a plain-English orientation to invoicing in the UAE, not tax advice. The authoritative source for current rules is the Federal Tax Authority. For anything that materially affects your tax position, talk to a UAE-registered tax agent or accountant.

Send a UAE tax invoice in two minutes

Free. No signup. Save your TRN and IBAN once and every future invoice carries them. Mark each one as Tax Invoice or Invoice depending on your VAT status.

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