Input VAT Recovery Time Frame
By 
Input VAT Recovery Time Frame | UAE : FTA has issued a very important clarification on the time-frame for the recovery of Input Tax (VATP017). The clarification recalls the conditions for the Input Tax to be recovered and notably the one related to the intention to make the payment for the supply that should not exceed six months after the agreed date of payment. FTA considers that these conditions “will only be met when the taxable person completes the internal approval process and forms an intention to make the payment within the prescribed period”. This is very welcome-clarification which is in line with the business practice and which will hopefully end the debate on the “two-tax periods” for the recovery of the Input VAT.
Input VAT Recovery Time Frame | UAE
Article 55 of the Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017 on Value Added Tax (“VAT Law”) prescribes the time-period within which input tax should be recovered by a taxable person.
This Public Clarification clarifies the FTA’s position relating to the interpretation of Article 55 of the VAT Law and discusses the time-period within which the input tax must be recovered. This Public Clarification also discusses the recourse available to taxable persons in the instance where input tax is not recovered within the prescribed time-period.
Input VAT Recovery Time Frame – Conditions
Input tax must be recovered in the first tax period in which two conditions are satisfied:
- the tax invoice is received; and
- there is an intention to make the payment of consideration of the supply before the expiration of six months after the agreed date of payment.
The FTA considers that the conditions of Article55(1) of the VAT Law will only be met when the taxable person completes the internal approval process and forms an intention to make the payment within the prescribed period.
In view of the above, before recovering input tax, a taxable person needs to substantiate that in addition to receiving a tax invoice, he has also satisfied the condition of forming an intention to make the payment within the prescribed period.
For the avoidance of doubt, please note that where a tax invoice is received in one tax period and the intention to make the payment is formed in a later tax period, the input tax can only be recovered in such later tax period.
It may be noted that where the input tax is not recovered in the tax period in which both the conditions are satisfied, the taxable person can recover the input tax in the immediate next tax period.
If input tax is not recovered in the first two tax periods, a taxable person is required to submit a voluntary disclosure. The voluntary disclosure should amend the input tax reported in the VAT return of one of the two tax periods.
Non-payment of consideration before the expiration of six months after the agreed date of payment
Where a taxable person fails to make the payment of consideration before the expiration of six months after the agreed date of payment, the taxable person should reduce the input tax in the VAT Return of the tax period following the expiry of the six-month period. However, once the payment is made, the taxable person will again be entitled to recover the input tax.
