If you run a business in the UAE, this is important news for you.
The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has issued a clear warning. Companies with annual revenue of AED 50 million or more must appoint an Accredited Service Provider by 30 October 2026. If you miss this date, you can be charged AED 5,000 for every month of delay.
This is part of the new UAE e-invoicing system that becomes mandatory from 1 January 2027 for larger businesses.
What is e-invoicing?
In simple terms, e-invoicing means sending and receiving invoices in a special digital format instead of PDFs or paper. The system automatically reports the invoice details to the FTA. This helps reduce errors, speed up tax processes, and make everything more transparent.
Who needs to act now?
There are two main groups:
Businesses with annual revenue of AED 50 million or more
Appoint an Accredited Service Provider by 30 October 2026
Start using the full e-invoicing system by 1 January 2027Businesses with annual revenue below AED 50 million
Appoint a provider by 31 March 2027
Start using the system by 1 July 2027
If you are in the first group, you have only a few days left.
What is an Accredited Service Provider (ASP)?
You cannot connect directly to the FTA yourself. You must choose an official company that has been approved by the Ministry of Finance. This company is called an Accredited Service Provider (ASP).
The ASP will:
Help you send and receive digital invoices
Make sure the invoices follow the correct format
Report the required tax data to the FTA
There is an official list of these providers on the Ministry of Finance website. Only companies on that list can be used.
You can view the full official list here:
Ministry of Finance - Accredited Service Providers (ASPs)
What happens if you miss the deadline?
The fine is AED 5,000 for every month (or part of a month) that you are late. This applies if you fail to appoint a provider on time or fail to start using the system when required.
What should you do right now?
Check your annual revenue to see which deadline applies to you.
Look at the official list of Accredited Service Providers on the Ministry of Finance website (link above).
Choose one that works with your current accounting or ERP system.
Sign the agreement and complete the onboarding steps on EmaraTax (the FTA digital platform).
Every ASP must give you 100 free e-invoice exchanges per year. After that, normal fees usually apply.
How Finepher can help
At Finepher we help UAE businesses understand and prepare for digital compliance requirements like this. If you need help checking your systems, choosing a suitable provider, or integrating e-invoicing with your current tools, we are here to support you.
Do not leave this until the last minute. A few days of planning now can save you thousands in fines later.
Stay compliant and keep your business running smoothly.
