# How to become FTA accredited software in the UAE: the full process explained

> Learn how to become FTA accredited software in the UAE. Covers FTA requirements, application steps, testing, and ongoing compliance for tax software

Source: https://einvoicedirect.ae/accounting-software-uae/how-to-become-fta-accredited-software  
Last updated: 2026-06-05  
Publisher: EInvoice Direct (Massive FZCO), UAE e-invoicing software.

## What is FTA accredited software?

FTA accredited software is any tax-related application that the UAE Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has formally reviewed, tested, and approved for use in VAT return filing, tax accounting, or e-invoicing. Accreditation confirms the software meets FTA technical standards, data-security rules, and regulatory requirements. Only accredited products may be marketed in the UAE as FTA-approved solutions.

If you develop or publish [accounting software for the UAE market](https://einvoicedirect.ae/accounting-software-uae), understanding the accreditation path is essential. This guide walks through every stage, from eligibility checks to post-approval obligations.

## Why the FTA accredits tax software

The FTA runs an accreditation programme to protect taxpayers and the tax system. Accredited software must calculate VAT correctly at the 5% standard rate, generate compliant tax invoices, and produce accurate return data. Without a gatekeeping process, errors in tax calculations could cascade across thousands of businesses.

For context on why accreditation status matters to buyers, see [why FTA accreditation matters for software](https://einvoicedirect.ae/accounting-software-uae/why-fta-accreditation-matters-software).

### Legal framework behind accreditation

The UAE VAT regime rests on Federal Decree-Law 8 of 2017, which introduced a 5% standard VAT rate effective January 1, 2018. Businesses with taxable supplies above AED 375,000 must register for VAT. VAT returns are due within 28 days of each tax period end. Software that handles these obligations needs to align with FTA rules.

More recently, Federal Decree-Law 16 of 2024 amended VAT provisions, and Ministerial Decisions 243 and 244 of 2025 set out the e-invoicing framework. The [FTA website](https://tax.gov.ae) publishes the latest legal texts and guidance documents.

## Eligibility requirements for FTA software accreditation

Before applying, a software vendor must confirm its product meets baseline criteria. The FTA does not publish a single checklist document, but the requirements can be grouped into four areas.

### 1. Functional requirements

- Correct VAT calculation at 5%, 0%, and exempt rates.

- Generation of tax invoices and simplified tax invoices per FTA format rules.

- Support for credit notes and debit notes.

- Accurate VAT return preparation (Form 201) with all required boxes.

- Multi-currency handling with AED conversion.

- Tax Registration Number (TRN) validation.

### 2. Technical and security requirements

- Data encryption in transit and at rest.

- Audit trail that logs every tax-relevant change with timestamps.

- Role-based access controls.

- Data residency or export controls aligned with UAE data-protection expectations.

- API capability for FTA data submission where required.

### 3. Business requirements

- A legal entity or authorised representative in the UAE.

- Documented support and maintenance processes.

- Clear data-retention policy (the FTA expects records kept for at least 5 years).

### 4. E-invoicing readiness (new)

The UAE is rolling out mandatory e-invoicing under a Peppol 5-corner Decentralized Continuous Transaction Control and Exchange (DCTCE) model. The required invoice format is PINT AE. Phase 1 go-live is January 1, 2027, for businesses with revenue above AED 50 million. Software vendors seeking accreditation should plan for DCTCE integration now.

Details on the e-invoicing timeline are available at the [Ministry of Finance (MoF) e-invoicing portal](https://einvoicing.mof.gov.ae).

## Step-by-step accreditation process

The exact workflow may evolve as the FTA updates its programme. The following steps reflect the general process based on published FTA guidance.

| Step | Action | Typical timeline |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Review FTA published criteria and self-assess your software against functional, technical, and security requirements. | 2 to 4 weeks |
| 2 | Register on the FTA portal and submit the accreditation application with supporting documentation. | 1 week |
| 3 | FTA conducts an initial review of the application and may request additional information. | 2 to 6 weeks |
| 4 | Testing phase: FTA or its appointed reviewers test the software against VAT scenarios, invoice formats, and data-integrity checks. | 4 to 8 weeks |
| 5 | Remediation: fix any issues flagged during testing and resubmit for verification. | Variable |
| 6 | Approval and listing: FTA issues accreditation and lists the software on its approved register. | 1 to 2 weeks after passing |

Total elapsed time from application to approval typically ranges from 3 to 6 months, depending on the complexity of the software and the volume of issues found during testing.

## Common reasons applications are rejected or delayed

Vendors often stumble on the same issues. Knowing them in advance saves weeks of back-and-forth.

- **Incorrect rounding logic.** VAT amounts must round to 2 decimal places per FTA rules. Even a 1-fils discrepancy across line items can fail testing.

- **Missing audit trail.** Every edit to a posted tax transaction must be logged. Soft-delete or overwrite without history is not acceptable.

- **Incomplete invoice fields.** Tax invoices require the supplier TRN, buyer TRN (for B2B above AED 10,000), invoice date, line-item descriptions, and VAT breakdown.

- **No credit-note linkage.** Credit notes must reference the original invoice number. Standalone credit notes without a link are rejected.

- **Weak data security.** Unencrypted database connections or lack of HTTPS for cloud-hosted products will not pass review.

For a deeper look at how accredited and non-accredited products differ in practice, read [accredited vs non-accredited accounting software in the UAE](https://einvoicedirect.ae/accounting-software-uae/accredited-vs-non-accredited-accounting-software-uae).

## After accreditation: ongoing obligations

Accreditation is not a one-time event. The FTA expects vendors to maintain compliance continuously.

### Version updates and re-testing

Any major update that changes tax calculation logic, invoice generation, or return formatting must be reported to the FTA. In some cases, the FTA will require re-testing before the new version goes live. Minor UI changes or bug fixes unrelated to tax functions generally do not trigger re-testing.

### Regulatory change management

When the FTA issues new rules, accredited vendors must update their software within the timeframe specified. For example, the upcoming e-invoicing mandate under Ministerial Decisions 243 and 244 of 2025 will require PINT AE format support. Vendors that fail to update risk losing accreditation.

### Periodic audits

The FTA reserves the right to audit accredited software at any time. Vendors should maintain internal test suites that mirror FTA scenarios and keep documentation current.

## How businesses can verify a vendor's accreditation

If you are a business owner evaluating tax software, do not rely on a vendor's marketing claims alone. The FTA maintains a public register of accredited products. You can cross-check any vendor's status before signing a contract. For a step-by-step guide, see [how to verify FTA accreditation in the UAE](https://einvoicedirect.ae/accounting-software-uae/how-to-verify-fta-accreditation-uae).

## E-invoicing accreditation: the next frontier

Beyond traditional VAT software accreditation, the UAE's e-invoicing rollout introduces a separate accreditation track for Accredited Service Providers (ASPs). ASPs act as intermediaries in the Peppol 5-corner model, transmitting invoices between buyers, sellers, and the tax authority.

Key dates for e-invoicing:

| Milestone | Date |
| --- | --- |
| Pilot phase | Q2 2026 |
| ASP appointment deadline (AED 50M+ revenue) | October 30, 2026 |
| Phase 1 go-live (AED 50M+ revenue) | January 1, 2027 |
| SMEs (under AED 50M revenue) | July 1, 2027 |
| Government entities | October 1, 2027 |

Penalties under Cabinet Decision 106 of 2025 range from AED 2,500 to AED 50,000 per violation. The [Ministry of Finance](https://mof.gov.ae) publishes the official ASP list. Software vendors aiming for ASP status must meet additional Peppol network requirements on top of standard FTA accreditation.

## Checklist for software vendors preparing for FTA accreditation

Use this checklist to track your readiness before submitting an application.

- VAT calculation engine handles 5%, 0%, exempt, and reverse-charge scenarios.

- Tax invoices include all mandatory fields per FTA specifications.

- Credit notes and debit notes link to original invoices.

- Audit trail captures every tax-relevant change with user ID and timestamp.

- Data is encrypted in transit (TLS 1.2+) and at rest.

- Role-based access prevents unauthorised changes to tax data.

- VAT return (Form 201) can be generated and exported accurately.

- Multi-currency transactions convert to AED using documented exchange rates.

- Records are retained for a minimum of 5 years.

- E-invoicing roadmap includes PINT AE format and DCTCE integration.

- UAE legal entity or authorised representative is in place.

- Internal QA test suite mirrors FTA testing scenarios.

For a broader view of [accounting software and ERP integrations in the UAE](https://einvoicedirect.ae/accounting-software-uae), explore our resource hub.

If your business needs e-invoicing software that already includes an accredited ASP at no extra charge, [get UAE e-invoicing pricing](https://einvoicedirect.ae/for-businesses#contact) from EInvoice Direct and see how it fits your setup.

## Frequently asked questions

### How long does FTA software accreditation take in the UAE?

The process typically takes 3 to 6 months from application to approval. Timelines depend on the complexity of the software and how quickly any issues found during FTA testing are resolved. Simple products with clean submissions may finish faster.

### What are the requirements for FTA accredited software?

FTA accredited software must handle correct VAT calculations at 5%, 0%, and exempt rates. It must generate compliant tax invoices, maintain an audit trail, encrypt data, and support VAT return preparation. A UAE legal entity or representative is also required.

### Is FTA accreditation the same as e-invoicing ASP accreditation?

No. FTA software accreditation covers VAT compliance features like tax calculations and return filing. ASP accreditation is a separate process under the UAE e-invoicing framework. ASPs transmit invoices through the Peppol 5-corner DCTCE model and must meet additional network requirements.

### Can foreign software companies get FTA accreditation?

Yes, but they need a legal entity or an authorised representative in the UAE. The software itself must meet all FTA functional, technical, and security requirements. Foreign vendors should also plan for UAE data-residency expectations.

### Does FTA accreditation expire?

Accreditation does not have a fixed expiry date, but it is conditional on ongoing compliance. Major software updates affecting tax logic may require re-testing. The FTA can also audit accredited vendors at any time and revoke status if standards are not met.

### What happens if my software fails FTA testing?

The FTA provides a report listing the issues found. Vendors fix the flagged problems and resubmit for verification. There is no formal limit on resubmissions, but repeated failures can delay accreditation by months.

### How much does FTA software accreditation cost?

The FTA does not publish a standard fee schedule for accreditation. Costs depend on internal development and testing efforts needed to meet requirements. Vendors should budget for engineering time, documentation, and potential re-testing cycles.

### Will e-invoicing change the FTA accreditation process?

Yes. The UAE e-invoicing mandate under Ministerial Decisions 243 and 244 of 2025 introduces PINT AE format requirements. Software vendors will likely need to demonstrate e-invoicing capabilities as part of future accreditation or re-accreditation reviews.


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This content is informational and is not tax, legal, or financial advice.
For UAE e-invoicing pricing, see https://einvoicedirect.ae/for-businesses#contact