MAYA FINANCE

Knowledge Base

Guides and articles for UAE business finance

VAT10 min read

How to File a VAT Return in the UAE: Step-by-Step Guide

Complete guide to filing your UAE VAT return with the FTA. Box-by-box explanation, deadlines, penalties, and common mistakes to avoid.

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Corporate Tax9 min read

UAE Corporate Tax for Free Zone Companies: What You Need to Know

Understand the 9% corporate tax rate, AED 375K threshold, QFZP exemption, and what free zone companies need to do to stay compliant.

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Corporate Tax8 min read

QFZP Rules: How to Qualify for 0% Corporate Tax in UAE Free Zones

Everything you need to know about QFZP status: de minimis threshold, qualifying income, substance requirements, and what happens if you breach.

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Bookkeeping8 min read

Chart of Accounts for UAE Companies: Structure and Best Practices

How to structure your chart of accounts for a UAE free zone company. Standard categories, UAE-specific accounts, and why it matters for tax filing.

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Bookkeeping7 min read

Bank Reconciliation: A Founder's Guide to Getting It Right

Why bank reconciliation matters, how to do it step by step, and how automation can save you hours every month. Practical advice for UAE founders.

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Compliance8 min read

UAE Invoice Requirements: TRN, VAT, and Legal Compliance

What your UAE tax invoices must include: TRN format, VAT line items, simplified vs full invoices, required fields, and penalties for non-compliance.

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Compliance8 min read

WPS Compliance for UAE Employers: Everything You Need to Know

What the Wage Protection System means for your business: registration, monthly submissions, penalties, and how to stay compliant as a UAE employer.

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Compliance8 min read

UAE Gratuity Calculation: Labor Law Rules and Practical Examples

How to calculate end-of-service gratuity in the UAE: the formula, eligibility rules, resignation vs termination differences, and when payment is due.

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Bookkeeping8 min read

Free Zone Bookkeeping Obligations: What Records You Must Keep

What records UAE free zone companies must maintain, retention periods, audit requirements, economic substance, and QFZP documentation needs.

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VAT7 min read

When to Register for VAT in the UAE: Thresholds and Process

Mandatory and voluntary VAT registration thresholds, the registration process, timeline, and what happens after you get your TRN.

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VAT8 min read

Input VAT Recovery: What You Can (and Cannot) Claim in the UAE

Which expenses qualify for input VAT recovery, what is blocked, partial exemption rules, and documentation requirements for UAE businesses.

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Operations9 min read

How to Choose Bookkeeping Software for Your UAE Business

Selection criteria for UAE bookkeeping software: VAT compliance, AED support, bank connectivity, reviewer access, pricing, and migration. What to look for and avoid.

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Corporate Tax8 min read

Depreciation Methods for UAE Corporate Tax: A Practical Guide

Straight-line vs declining balance depreciation, UAE tax treatment, asset classes and useful lives, and how depreciation reduces your corporate tax bill.

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Bookkeeping7 min read

Multi-Currency Invoicing with an AED Base: How It Works

How multi-currency works when your books are in AED: exchange rate rules, reporting obligations, realized vs unrealized gains and losses.

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VAT8 min read

Reverse Charge VAT in the UAE: When It Applies and How to Account for It

When reverse charge applies in the UAE, how to account for it in your books, common scenarios like SaaS and consulting, and reporting in your VAT return.

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Corporate Tax8 min read

UAE Corporate Tax Returns: Timeline, Requirements, and Penalties

When to file your UAE corporate tax return, what documents you need, registration requirements, and penalties for late filing or payment.

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Corporate Tax7 min read

De Minimis Threshold: Managing Non-Qualifying Revenue as a QFZP

What counts as non-qualifying revenue, how to track the ratio, consequences of breaching the de minimis threshold, and strategies to stay within limits.

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Bookkeeping7 min read

Accounting for Free Zone License Renewals: Prepaid vs Direct Expense

How to book license renewal costs for your free zone company: prepaid expense vs direct expense, amortization, journal entries, and timing considerations.

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Operations8 min read

How to Switch Bookkeeping Software Without Losing Data

Migration checklist for switching bookkeeping software: backup, chart of accounts mapping, contact export, transaction history, validation, and common pitfalls.

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Operations10 min read

End-of-Year Checklist for UAE Companies: 15 Items Before You Close

A 15-item year-end checklist for UAE companies: bank reconciliation, asset register, gratuity, VAT, corporate tax, WPS, audit prep, and more.

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