Overview
Tab Path: Tax > VAT Transactions / VAT Return / VAT Return by Emirates / Pay Tax
This guide focuses on the operational tax workflow after setup is complete. It is based on the actual QBM forms that calculate the return, split figures by emirate, and record the final payment.
Users should think of this as one connected process rather than four unrelated screens.
Review FirstUse VAT Transactions before finalizing the return
ReturnCheck basis, dates, agent filter, rounding, and drill-down figures
PaymentRecord the settlement and close periods only when the filing step is genuinely complete
Important The Pay Tax screen is an accounting posting step. Do not close periods until the return, payment, and internal review are complete.
Main Screens
| Screen | Tab Path | Use It For |
|---|---|---|
| VAT Transactions | Tax > VAT Transactions | Review the tax transactions included in the selected period. |
| VAT Return Summary | Tax > VAT Return | Calculate the main VAT return totals and drill into the tax due and tax reclaimed values. |
| VAT Return by Emirates | Tax > VAT Return by Emirates | Break standard-rated outputs and related VAT by emirate and review imported, exempt, zero-rated, reverse-charge, and expense categories. |
| Pay Tax | Tax > Pay Tax | Record the payment or settlement of VAT due for the selected period. |
Important Fields And Controls
| Field Or Control | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Agent | The VAT Return Summary screen lets users filter by tax agency or use all agencies. |
| Date Range | The report-date picker controls the return period. |
| Accrual / Cash Basis | The return can be calculated on accrual or cash basis. Accrual is the default visible basis, and the screen label changes to reflect the chosen mode. |
| Round | A rounding control is available on both the summary return and the emirate return screens. |
| VAT Due on Sales and Other Outputs | A drill-down link showing the output-side VAT total. |
| VAT Reclaimed on Purchases and Other Inputs | A drill-down link showing the input-side VAT total. |
| Net VAT to Pay (or Reclaim) | The summary return shows the difference between output VAT and input VAT. |
| Tax Due / Tax Recoverable / Net Due (By Emirates) | The emirate screen shows the split totals and the final due position across categories. |
| Pay Tax Transaction Date | The accounting date of the tax payment entry. Closed-book dates can request a closing-book password. |
| Period From / Period To | The tax period being settled. |
| Amount Due | Displayed as a read-only amount on the Pay Tax form. |
| Amount Paid | The amount you are recording as paid. |
| Close Periods | Marks the periods as closed when that step is appropriate for your process. |
| Liability Account / Account Payable / Agency | The payment form records the accounting side of settling VAT with the selected tax agency. |
How It Works
- The VAT Return Summary form calculates totals from the selected date range and basis, using the selected agent filter and rounding preference.
- The two linked tax totals let users drill into the underlying figures for investigation before the return is treated as ready.
- The VAT Return by Emirates screen uses the same period logic but reorganizes the result into emirate-level output values plus reverse-charge, exempt, zero-rated, imported-goods, tourist, and expense categories.
- The Pay Tax form then records the settlement step. It is treated as a journal-style accounting process and requires permission to create journal entries.
VAT Return Processing
- Open VAT Transactions first and review whether the selected period contains the expected sales-side and purchase-side tax activity.
- Open VAT Return Summary, choose the agent if needed, select the date range, confirm the basis and rounding, then click Go.
- Review total purchases, total sales, VAT due on sales, VAT reclaimed on purchases, and the net VAT to pay or reclaim.
- Use the tax-total links when you need to drill into supporting details before accepting the figures.
- If your process needs emirate-level review, open VAT Return by Emirates and confirm the period totals, category split, and net due values.
Practical sequence VAT Transactions first, then VAT Return Summary, then VAT Return by Emirates if needed. This is the cleanest way to investigate issues before payment.
Pay Tax Processing
- Open Pay Tax after the return amount is understood and approved.
- Enter the transaction date and the reporting period from and to dates.
- Confirm the amount due shown on screen and enter the amount paid.
- Review the liability account, the payable account, and the tax agency before saving.
- Tick Close Periods only when your business is satisfied that the filing and settlement stage is complete.
Close-period caution Closing the period is a control action, not just a convenience checkbox. Use it only after the tax work for that period is really complete.
Recommended Workflow
- Review VAT Transactions for the intended period.
- Calculate the VAT Return Summary using the correct basis, date range, and agent filter.
- Investigate any unusual totals by drilling into the linked VAT values.
- Use VAT Return by Emirates when emirate-level review is part of your process.
- Record the payment in Pay Tax and close the period only after internal confirmation.
Best Practice
- Keep the agent filter and reporting dates consistent across your review screens.
- Use the drill-down values before filing instead of assuming the top-line figure is enough.
- Store supporting working papers outside the return screen where your internal process requires them.
- Coordinate payment posting and period closing with the accounting lead or tax reviewer.