EmaraTax is the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) portal where a UAE business registers for tax, files returns and keeps its tax records. A seller opens an EmaraTax account, creates a Taxable Person Profile and then registers for VAT from the dashboard. FTA services are available only through UAE Pass. This is general information, not tax advice; confirm with the FTA.
What does a seller use EmaraTax for?
For an Amazon.ae or noon seller, the first use is VAT registration. Registration is mandatory when taxable supplies and imports exceed AED 375,000 over 12 months, and voluntary above AED 187,500. You must apply within 30 days of becoming required to register. After registration you receive a tax registration number, explained in what a TRN is.
How do you get started?
The FTA lists six steps: sign up and activate an account, open the dashboard, create a Taxable Person Profile, click View, click Register under Value Added Tax, then complete the form and upload documents. Files are PDFs of up to 15 MB each, and the FTA says submission takes about 45 minutes.
The full document checklist is in EmaraTax VAT registration steps. If the FTA rejects or you are late, see the late VAT registration penalty.
What the FTA does not publish
The FTA page does not say which documents it will query for a specific business model such as a marketplace-only seller. Ask the FTA through its support channels if your case is unusual. Free zone sellers should also read designated zone VAT.
A practical checklist before you log in
- Set up UAE Pass first, because the FTA states its services are available only through it.
- Decide who the authorised signatory is, and have their Emirates ID and passport ready.
- Pull your last 12 months of sales and imports, month by month, from your marketplace reports and any direct sales.
- Scan every document as a PDF under 15 MB.
Registration is listed as free, and the FTA says it has 20 business days to process a completed application. Keep your login details with the business, not with a consultant, so you can still file if the relationship ends.
Next step
If you want help with the marketplace side once your tax set-up is done, Blooprint manages Amazon.ae account management for brands.