## Documentation Index

Access the complete documentation index at:
https://www.zoho.com/ae/books/help/llms.txt

Use this file to discover all available documentation pages before proceeding.

# VAT Return Filing

The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has introduced EmaraTax, an online platform that helps businesses in the UAE to manage their VAT efficiently. With EmaraTax, you can register for VAT, file VAT returns, make VAT payments, and request refunds on your returns.

When you connect Zoho Books with the EmaraTax portal, you can fetch VAT returns and voluntary disclosures from the portal and view them in Zoho Books. You can also identify and review VAT mismatches and file VAT returns directly from Zoho Books. This helps you stay up to date and compliant with the VAT regulations.

## Connect to the EmaraTax Portal

To connect your Zoho Books organisation with the EmaraTax portal:

*   Go to **Settings**.
    
*   Select **Taxes** under _Taxes & Compliance_.
    
*   In the next page, click **EmaraTax** in the _Taxes_ pane.
    
*   In the _EmaraTax_ page, click **Connect**.
    
    ![Connect to the EmaraTax Portal](/ae/books/help/images/vat/vat-return-filing/connect.png)
*   In the _Connect Zoho Books to EmaraTax_ pop-up, read the terms and check the **I agree to connect Zoho Books to EmaraTax** option, and click **Connect**. You’ll be redirected to the EmaraTax login page.
    
    ![Connect Pop-up](/ae/books/help/images/vat/vat-return-filing/connect-popup.png)
*   Enter your FTA credentials and click **Login**.
    

You’ll be redirected to your Zoho Books organisation, which is now connected to the EmaraTax portal.

## Fetch Data From EmaraTax Portal

Once you’ve connected Zoho Books with the EmaraTax portal, you can fetch VAT returns already available in the portal, and view them along with the VAT returns generated in Zoho Books.

You can fetch the following return types from the EmaraTax portal into Zoho Books:

*   **VAT Returns:** If you’ve manually recorded VAT for a return period in the EmaraTax portal, they will be fetched into Zoho Books.
*   **Voluntary Disclosure:** If there’s a mismatch of tax values over AED 10,000 for a previous VAT return, you must generate an amendment return called **Voluntary Disclosure** in the EmaraTax portal. This will be fetched into Zoho Books, where you can review the mismatch and file it along with your current VAT return.

**Note:**

If there’s any mismatch less than AED 10,000, you can [include those transactions in your next VAT return](/ae/books/help/vat-uae/vat-return-filing.html#include-previous).

To view the VAT returns fetched into Zoho Books:

*   Go to _VAT_ on the left sidebar and select **VAT Returns**. The fetched VAT returns will appear in the _To-be Filed_ tab.
*   Click on the VAT return that you want to file.

You can review the amounts in the relevant VAT boxes.

If there’s a mismatch between the VAT returns generated in Zoho Books and the one fetched from the EmaraTax portal, you can verify it. To do this:

*   In the respective VAT return’s _Details_ page, click **Verify** next to the required VAT box.
    
    ![Verify Mismatch](/ae/books/help/images/vat/vat-return-filing/mismatch.png)
*   In the next page, the mismatch value in Zoho Books will be displayed in the _Overview_ section.
    
*   Slide the toggle next to **Show values recorded in EmaraTax portal** to display the VAT value fetched from the portal.
    
    ![Include Values from EmaraTax](/ae/books/help/images/vat/vat-return-filing/mismatch-page.png)
*   The _Transaction Details_ section will display the list of transactions associated with that particular VAT box.
    

You can create a transaction in Zoho Books to match the mismatched amounts.

## Include Previous Period’s Unfiled Transactions

If you have any unfiled transactions from previous VAT return periods, you can include them in your current VAT return and file them directly from Zoho Books. Here’s how:

*   Go to **VAT** on the left sidebar and select VAT Returns.
    
*   In the _To-be Filed_ tab, select the required VAT return.
    
*   Slide the toggle below **Include previous period’s unfiled transactions**.
    
    ![Previous Period's Transactions](/ae/books/help/images/vat/vat-return-filing/previous-period.png)
*   In the pop-up that appears, click **OK** to confirm.
    

Any respective unfiled transactions from the previous return period will be included in the current VAT return.

**Note:**

You can include transactions with a total less than AED 10,000. For transactions exceeding AED 10,000, a **Voluntary Disclosure** will be created and automatically fetched into Zoho Books.

## Add Adjustment Amounts

You can add an adjustment to include values that were missed or not recorded in your regular transactions. This ensures that the VAT return is accurate. You can add an adjustment only in the **Box 7** of the VAT return.

To add an adjustment amount:

*   Go to _VAT_ on the left sidebar and select **VAT Returns**.
    
*   In the _To-be Filed_ tab, select the required VAT return.
    
*   Scroll down to _Box 7_ and click **Adjust** below the amount displayed in the _Tax Amount_ column.
    
    ![Add Adjustment](/ae/books/help/images/vat/vat-return-filing/adjust.png)
*   In the pop-up that appears, fill in the following fields:
    
    *   **Date:** Select the date for the adjustment.
    *   **Reference#:** Enter a unique reference number for internal use.
    *   **Amount:** Enter the adjustment amount. Use the negative sign if it’s a negative adjustment.
    *   **Account:** Select an account to track the adjustment.
    *   **Reason:** Enter the reason for making the adjustment.
*   Click **Adjust**.
    
    ![Add Adjustment Pop-up](/ae/books/help/images/vat/vat-return-filing/adjust-popup.png)

The adjustment amount will be added to the respective VAT box.

## Lock VAT Returns

Once you’ve reviewed all the amounts in the VAT return, lock it to prevent changes to transactions for that period.

To lock a VAT return:

*   Go to _VAT_ on the left sidebar and select **VAT Returns**.
    
*   In the next page, select the required VAT return in the _To-be Filed_ tab.
    
*   Click **Lock Filing** at the top of the page.
    
    ![Lock VAT Return](/ae/books/help/images/vat/vat-return-filing/lock.png)
*   In the pop-up that appears, click **Lock** to confirm.
    

**Note:**

Any user with the filing permissions can lock a VAT return in Zoho Books.

The transactions in the respective VAT return period will be locked, and you cannot edit or delete them, and the VAT return will be marked as **Locked**.

**Note:**

If you lock a VAT return that still contains mismatched VAT amounts, the values in the Zoho Books’ VAT return will override the ones in the EmaraTax portal.

**Warning:**

Review the amounts in each VAT box before submitting the return. Once you lock a VAT return, you won’t be able to unlock it.

## Submit to the EmaraTax Portal

**Prerequisite:**

You can only submit a VAT return that has been marked as **Locked**.

To submit the VAT return to the EmaraTax portal:

*   Go to _VAT_ on the left sidebar and select **VAT Returns**.
    
*   In the next page, select the required VAT return in the _To-be Filed_ tab.
    
*   In the next page, click **Submit to EmaraTax** in the top-right corner.
    
    ![Submit to EmaraTax](/ae/books/help/images/vat/vat-return-filing/submit.png)
*   In the pop-up that appears, read the terms and check the **I agree to submit the VAT return to EmaraTax portal** option.
    
*   Click **Submit**.
    
    ![Submit Pop-up](/ae/books/help/images/vat/vat-return-filing/submit-popup.png)

**Note:**

When submitting a voluntary disclosure to the EmaraTax portal, you must provide a reason for the disclosure.

The VAT return will be sent to the EmaraTax portal.

**Note:**

The VAT returns that you generate and submit in Zoho Books are marked as **Filed**, while the returns that you fetch from the EmaraTax portal and submit in Zoho Books are marked as **Submitted**.

## Record Payment

Once you’ve filed a return in the EmaraTax portal, you can record payment for it in Zoho Books. Here’s how:

*   Go to _VAT_ on the left sidebar and select **VAT Returns**.
    
*   In the next page, navigate to the **All Filings** tab.
    
*   Hover over the required VAT return, click the _More_ icon, and select **Record Payment** from the dropdown.
    
    ![Record Payment](/ae/books/help/images/vat/vat-return-filing/payment.png)
*   In the pop-up that appears, fill in the following fields:
    
    *   **Paid Through:** Select the payment mode used.
    *   **Amount Paid:** Enter the amount paid.
    *   **Payment Date:** Select the date on which the payment was made.
    *   **Reference Number:** Enter a unique reference number for internal use.
    *   **Description:** Provide a short description of the payment made.
*   Click **Save**.
    
    ![Payment Pop-up](/ae/books/help/images/vat/vat-return-filing/payment-popup.png)

The payment will be recorded for the respective VAT return.

## Reconnect to the EmaraTax Portal

When you connect the EmaraTax portal with Zoho Books, the connection remains active for only one hour. After that, the connection will expire, and you must reconnect to the EmaraTax portal. However, any data previously fetched from the portal will remain available in Zoho Books.

You can reconnect with the EmaraTax portal in two ways:

*   [From the EmaraTax page](/ae/books/help/vat-uae/vat-return-filing.html#emaratax-page)
*   [From the VAT Return Filing page](/ae/books/help/vat-uae/vat-return-filing.html#filing-page)

### From the EmaraTax Page

To reconnect Zoho Books with the EmaraTax portal:

*   Go to **Settings**.
    
*   Select **Taxes** under _Taxes & Compliance_.
    
*   In the next page, click **EmaraTax** in the _Taxes_ pane.
    
*   In the _EmaraTax_ page, click **Reconnect** in the top right corner.
    
    ![Reconnect from EmaraTax Page](/ae/books/help/images/vat/vat-return-filing/reconnect-emara-page.png)
*   In the _Reconnect Zoho Books to EmaraTax_ pop-up, read the terms and check the **I agree to connect Zoho Books to EmaraTax** option, and click **Reconnect**. You’ll be redirected to the EmaraTax login page.
    
    ![Reconnect Pop-up](/ae/books/help/images/vat/vat-return-filing/reconnect-popup.png)
*   Enter the FTA credentials and click **Login**.
    

You’ll be redirected to the Zoho Books organisation, which is now connected to the EmaraTax portal.

### From the VAT Return Filing Page

You can also reconnect to the portal from the VAT Returns’ List page. Here’s how:

*   Go to _VAT_ on the left sidebar and select **VAT Returns**.
    
*   Click **Connect** at the top of the VAT Returns’ _List_ page.
    
    ![Reconnect from VAT Return Filing Page](/ae/books/help/images/vat/vat-return-filing/reconnect-vat-page.png)
*   In the _Reconnect Zoho Books to EmaraTax_ pop-up, read and agree to the terms, and click **Reconnect**. You’ll be redirected to the EmaraTax login page.
    
*   Enter the FTA credentials and click **Login**.
    

Your Zoho Books organisation will now be reconnected to the EmaraTax portal.

## Resync With the EmaraTax Portal

To ensure your VAT return in Zoho Books reflects the latest data from the EmaraTax portal, you can resync the VAT return and fetch the updated VAT amounts. Here’s how:

*   Go to _VAT_ on the left sidebar and select **VAT Returns**.
    
*   In the _To-be Filed_ tab, select the required VAT return.
    
*   Click **Re-sync Now** below _Sync with EmaraTax_ at the top of the VAT return’s _Details_ page.
    
    ![Resnc](/ae/books/help/images/vat/vat-return-filing/resync.png)

The respective VAT return will be updated with the latest VAT amounts.

## Other Actions

There is a list of actions you can perform in the VAT module of Zoho Books:

*   [Export VAT Returns](/ae/books/help/vat-uae/vat-return-filing.html#export)
*   [Add Comments](/ae/books/help/vat-uae/vat-return-filing.html#comment)
*   [Delete VAT Returns](/ae/books/help/vat-uae/vat-return-filing.html#delete)

### Export VAT Returns

You can export a VAT return before submitting to the EmaraTax portal to keep a backup of your financial records. To do this:

*   Go to _VAT_ on the left sidebar and select **VAT Returns**.
    
*   In the _To-be Filed_ tab, select the required VAT return.
    
*   Click the _Export_ dropdown in the top right corner, and select **PDF**.
    
    ![Export as PDF](/ae/books/help/images/vat/vat-return-filing/export.png)
*   In the _Export Report as PDF_ pop-up, enter the required details, and click **Export**.
    

The VAT return will be exported as a PDF file.

### Add Comments

You can also add comments to the VAT returns. Here’s how:

*   Go to _VAT_ on the left sidebar and select **VAT Returns**.
    
*   In the next page, select the required VAT return in the _To-be Filed_ tab.
    
*   In the VAT return’s _Details_ page, click the _More_ icon in the top right corner and select **Comments & History**.
    
    ![Comments](/ae/books/help/images/vat/vat-return-filing/comments.png)
*   In the _Comments & History_ pane, enter the required comments, and click **Add Comment**.
    
    ![Add Comments](/ae/books/help/images/vat/vat-return-filing/add-comment.png)

The comment will be added, and you can view the comments added by other users in your organisation. To delete a comment:

*   In the _Comments & History_ pane, click the **Delete** icon next to the respective comment.
    
*   In the pop-up that appears, click **Delete** to confirm.
    
    ![Delete Comments](/ae/books/help/images/vat/vat-return-filing/delete-comment.png)

The respective comment will be deleted.

### Delete VAT Returns

To delete the recently filed VAT return:

*   Go to _VAT_ on the left sidebar and select **VAT Returns**.
    
*   In the next page, navigate to the **All Filings** tab.
    
*   Click the _More_ icon next to the required VAT return, and select **Delete** from the dropdown.
    
    ![Delete VAT Returns](/ae/books/help/images/vat/vat-return-filing/delete.png)
*   In the pop-up that appears, click **Okay** to confirm.
    

The respective VAT return will be deleted from your Zoho Books organisation.