Staying VAT compliant in the UAE just got a whole lot easier. Zoho Books, a leading cloud-based accounting software, has announced its latest integration—direct VAT filing with EmaraTax, the Federal Tax Authority’s (FTA) official tax platform in the UAE. This enhancement allows businesses to file VAT returns directly from Zoho Books, streamlining the tax compliance process and reducing administrative overhead.
This new feature marks a significant step forward for businesses that want to manage their taxes efficiently and accurately while staying in full compliance with local tax regulations.
What Is EmaraTax?
EmaraTax is the UAE’s government-operated tax platform, designed by the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) to provide taxpayers with a modern, digital-first approach to handling tax obligations. It simplifies the process of tax registration, return filing, and payments while enabling better communication between the FTA and taxpayers.
Previously, VAT filing required users to manually export VAT reports from their accounting software and then upload them to the EmaraTax portal. This multi-step process was prone to human error and time-consuming administrative work. The new integration with Zoho Books removes these barriers, enabling businesses to file their VAT returns in just a few clicks—without leaving the app.
Key Benefits of the Integration
The direct integration between Zoho Books and EmaraTax offers a number of benefits to businesses and accountants operating in the UAE:
1. Seamless VAT Filing
No more downloading and uploading files. Users can now prepare and file VAT returns directly within Zoho Books. This saves time and ensures that your data flows smoothly and accurately from your books to the tax authority.
2. Real-Time FTA Connectivity
Once the VAT return is submitted, Zoho Books connects in real-time with EmaraTax. Users receive instant filing status updates, acknowledgements, and submission confirmations—all inside their dashboard.
3. Improved Accuracy and Compliance
Manual data entry increases the risk of mistakes, which can lead to penalties or rejected returns. The integration ensures your VAT data is submitted exactly as it appears in your books, reducing the chance of errors and improving compliance.
4. Time Savings for Accountants and Businesses
Whether you’re managing your own business finances or handling multiple client accounts as an accountant, this integration cuts down hours of repetitive tasks and follow-ups. Filing deadlines becomes easier to manage, and you can focus on strategic financial tasks instead.
5. User-Friendly Setup
Zoho Books makes the integration easy to set up. All you need is your EmaraTax account login and authorization to connect it to Zoho Books. Once linked, your account will be ready for direct submissions during each VAT period.
How to Get Started
Getting started with direct VAT filing in Zoho Books is straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Log in to Zoho Books and navigate to the VAT Settings section.
- Choose Connect to EmaraTax.
- Authorize Zoho Books to access your EmaraTax account using your FTA login credentials.
- Once connected, generate your VAT return as usual.
- Click Submit to FTA when you’re ready to file.
Zoho Books will automatically handle the submission and provide you with confirmation once the return is accepted.
A Step Toward Smarter Tax Management
The introduction of direct EmaraTax integration is part of Zoho’s ongoing commitment to helping businesses in the UAE operate more efficiently and stay compliant with ever-evolving tax regulations. As government systems become more digital, Zoho ensures its users are always equipped with tools that adapt and innovate.
This feature is especially beneficial for SMEs and growing enterprises looking for a reliable, all-in-one accounting solution. With Zoho Books, businesses can now manage their accounting, invoicing, banking, inventory, and tax filing all under one roof.
