# EmaraTax account setup guide for UAE businesses

> EmaraTax account setup guide for UAE businesses. Register, verify your identity, link your TRN, and file VAT or corporate tax. Get started today.

Source: https://einvoicedirect.ae/fta-compliance-uae/emaratax-account-setup-guide  
Last updated: 2026-06-05  
Publisher: EInvoice Direct (Massive FZCO), UAE e-invoicing software.

## What is the EmaraTax account setup guide?

This EmaraTax account setup guide is a plain English walkthrough for creating and activating your account on the UAE Federal Tax Authority's online platform. It covers registration, identity verification, taxpayer profile creation, TRN linking, and first time access to VAT and corporate tax services. The guide is written for UAE business owners and finance teams.

EmaraTax is the digital tax platform operated by the Federal Tax Authority (FTA). It replaced the older FTA portal in 2022 and now handles every tax interaction with the UAE government. If you run a business in the UAE, you need an account to register for VAT, file returns, manage corporate tax obligations, and respond to FTA notices. This EmaraTax account setup guide walks you through each step in order.

For wider context on regulator obligations, see our hub on [FTA Compliance UAE](https://einvoicedirect.ae/fta-compliance-uae), which links to topic pages across registration, filing, and audits.

## Before you start: what you need on hand

Gather your documents before you open the portal. A clean setup takes about 30 minutes if your paperwork is ready. Missing items are the most common reason applications stall.

### Documents for individuals

- Emirates ID, front and back, in colour, valid and unexpired.
- Passport copy with the photo page clearly visible.
- UAE mobile number that can receive SMS one time passwords (OTPs).
- Active email address you check regularly.
- UAE Pass account if you plan to log in through it.

### Documents for businesses

- Trade licence, valid and unexpired, for each emirate where you operate.
- Memorandum of association or partnership agreement.
- Emirates ID and passport of every owner, partner, and authorised signatory.
- Proof of authorisation, such as a power of attorney, for the person signing up.
- Bank account details, including the IBAN and a recent bank letter or statement.
- Financial statements or revenue evidence if you are applying for VAT or corporate tax registration.
- Customs registration number, if you import or export goods.

Scan each document as a clear PDF or JPEG. The portal rejects blurry uploads and files above the size limit, which slows the whole process.

## Step 1: Create your EmaraTax user account

Go to the FTA's [official tax authority website](https://tax.gov.ae) and choose EmaraTax. You can sign up two ways.

### Option A: Sign up with email and password

- Click sign up on the EmaraTax landing page.
- Enter your full name as it appears on your Emirates ID.
- Provide your email address and UAE mobile number.
- Create a password with at least 8 characters, including upper case, lower case, a number, and a symbol.
- Verify your email through the link sent to your inbox.
- Verify your mobile number by entering the SMS OTP.

### Option B: Sign up with UAE Pass

- Click the UAE Pass button on the EmaraTax sign in page.
- Approve the login request inside your UAE Pass app.
- EmaraTax pulls your verified identity, so you skip manual entry.

UAE Pass is the faster route for residents. It also keeps your login tied to a government verified identity, which reduces password reset issues later.

## Step 2: Build your taxable person profile

After logging in, the portal asks you to create a taxable person. This is the legal entity or individual that will hold the Tax Registration Number (TRN). One user account can manage several taxable persons, which is useful if you run multiple companies.

### Profile types

- **Natural person:** an individual conducting business activity in their own name.
- **Legal person:** a company, partnership, or other registered entity.
- **Government entity:** a ministry, department, or public body.

Select the type that matches your trade licence. Then enter the legal name, licence number, issuing authority, and the date of incorporation. Upload the trade licence and any supporting incorporation documents. The system saves your draft, so you can return later if you need to find a missing file.

## Step 3: Add business details and contacts

Next, complete the business activity, address, and contact sections. Accuracy matters here because the FTA uses these details for all official correspondence.

- **Business activities:** pick the codes that match your trade licence.
- **Registered address:** use the address printed on the trade licence, including PO Box and emirate.
- **Authorised signatory:** the person legally allowed to sign tax documents for the entity.
- **Bank details:** IBAN starting with AE, plus the bank name and branch.

The FTA can request additional evidence at any point. Keep your documents organised in one folder so you can respond quickly.

## Step 4: Register for the right taxes

EmaraTax is one portal for several taxes. Choose the registrations that apply to your business.

### VAT registration thresholds

| Type | Threshold | Action |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Mandatory | Taxable supplies above AED 375,000 in the past 12 months | Must register for VAT |
| Voluntary | Taxable supplies or expenses above AED 187,500 | May register for VAT |
| Below threshold | Under AED 187,500 | No VAT registration needed |

VAT in the UAE is set at 5 percent under Federal Decree-Law 8 of 2017 and has been in force since January 1, 2018. Once registered, you must file returns within 28 days of the end of each tax period.

### Corporate tax registration

Corporate tax was introduced through Federal Decree-Law 47 of 2022. Every taxable person, including most mainland and free zone companies, must register through EmaraTax. The headline rates are 0 percent on the first AED 375,000 of taxable income and 9 percent above that. A 15 percent Domestic Minimum Top-up Tax (DMTT) applies to large multinationals with global revenue of EUR 750 million or more from January 2025. Small business relief is available for businesses with revenue up to AED 3 million through 2026.

Corporate tax returns are due within 9 months of your financial year end. Set calendar reminders inside your finance system as soon as your registration is approved.

### Excise tax

If you handle tobacco, sweetened drinks, energy drinks, or electronic smoking products, you also need to register for excise tax through EmaraTax. The portal walks you through product registration and stock declarations.

## Step 5: Receive and verify your TRN

Once the FTA approves your application, you receive a Tax Registration Number. The TRN is a 15 digit code that identifies your business across all tax filings and tax invoices. You can verify any TRN through the TRN search tool on the FTA website. Customers and suppliers can do the same with yours.

Add the TRN to your sales invoices, purchase orders, and accounting software immediately. Invoices missing a valid TRN may be rejected by your customers, especially government buyers.

## Step 6: Set up users, roles, and notifications

EmaraTax lets you add team members and assign permissions. This is essential for finance teams that share filing duties.

### Common role setups

- **Owner or administrator:** full access, including changing legal details.
- **Preparer:** can fill in returns and upload documents but cannot submit.
- **Submitter or signatory:** reviews and submits filings.
- **Viewer:** read only access for auditors or consultants.

Turn on email and SMS alerts for filing reminders, payment confirmations, and FTA notices. Missed notices are a common cause of penalties.

## Common setup problems and how to fix them

| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Email verification link expired | Link is valid for a limited window | Request a new verification email and use it within the window |
| Trade licence rejected | Expired licence or unclear scan | Renew the licence and upload a clear colour PDF |
| Name mismatch warning | Arabic and English names differ across documents | Match the spelling on the trade licence exactly |
| OTP not received | Mobile number formatted wrong | Use the UAE country code without spaces, for example 9715xxxxxxxx |
| Bank details rejected | IBAN does not match the entity | Provide a bank letter showing the account is in the legal entity name |

If you remain stuck, reach the FTA directly through the channels listed on our [FTA UAE contact channels](https://einvoicedirect.ae/fta-compliance-uae/fta-uae-contact-channels) page.

## What happens after your account is live

Once your account is active, the EmaraTax dashboard becomes the place where you manage every interaction with the regulator. From here you can file returns, pay tax, request refunds, amend registrations, and respond to clarifications. To understand which FTA team handles which task, see our overview of [FTA UAE departments and roles](https://einvoicedirect.ae/fta-compliance-uae/fta-uae-departments-and-roles). For service standards and expected response times, review the [FTA UAE service charter](https://einvoicedirect.ae/fta-compliance-uae/fta-uae-service-charter).

Keep your records for at least 5 years, or longer if you are in real estate, where 15 years applies. Penalties for non compliance, including filing errors and missing invoices, can range from AED 500 up to AED 50,000 per violation depending on the breach. Cabinet Decision 106 of 2025 sets a penalty band of AED 2,500 to AED 50,000 specifically for e-invoicing violations once the regime is in force.

### Looking ahead: e-invoicing inside EmaraTax

The UAE is rolling out a Peppol 5-corner DCTCE (Decentralized Continuous Transaction Control and Exchange) e-invoicing model in PINT AE format. Phase 1 businesses with revenue above AED 50 million must appoint an accredited service provider (ASP) by October 30, 2026 and go live on January 1, 2027. Small and medium businesses follow on July 1, 2027, and government entities on October 1, 2027. A pilot starts in Q2 2026. The legal basis sits in Federal Decree-Law 16 of 2024 and Federal Decree-Law 17 of 2024, with Ministerial Decisions 243 and 244 of 2025.

For background on each milestone, see our pages on [what is FTA UAE](https://einvoicedirect.ae/fta-compliance-uae/what-is-fta-uae), [FTA UAE key decisions](https://einvoicedirect.ae/fta-compliance-uae/fta-uae-key-decisions), and the [EmaraTax portal](https://einvoicedirect.ae/fta-compliance-uae/emaratax-portal). You can also check the official [UAE Ministry of Finance](https://mof.gov.ae) updates.

## Setup checklist

- Gather Emirates ID, passport, and trade licence copies.
- Create your EmaraTax login through email or UAE Pass.
- Build a taxable person profile that matches your trade licence.
- Add business activities, address, and bank details.
- Register for VAT, corporate tax, and excise tax where applicable.
- Receive your TRN and add it to invoices and accounting software.
- Invite team members and assign roles.
- Switch on email and SMS notifications.
- Diarise your VAT and corporate tax filing deadlines.
- Plan for e-invoicing readiness before October 2026.

For a single source on every FTA topic, return to the [FTA Compliance UAE](https://einvoicedirect.ae/fta-compliance-uae) hub whenever you need a refresher.

If you are preparing for UAE e-invoicing in parallel with your EmaraTax setup, EInvoice Direct includes an accredited service provider at no extra charge and connects to Zoho Books, QuickBooks, Xero, Tally, Sage, SAP, Oracle NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Microsoft Business Central, and Odoo. [Get UAE e-invoicing pricing](https://einvoicedirect.ae/for-businesses#contact) and see how EInvoice Direct works alongside your EmaraTax account.

## Frequently asked questions

### How do I create an EmaraTax account?

Visit the Federal Tax Authority website and choose EmaraTax. Sign up with your email and a strong password, or log in with UAE Pass for a faster route. Verify your email and mobile number using the one time passwords sent to you. Then create a taxable person profile that matches your trade licence and upload supporting documents.

### What documents do I need to set up EmaraTax for a company?

You need a valid trade licence, memorandum of association, Emirates ID and passport copies for every owner and authorised signatory, proof of authorisation for the person registering, and bank account details including the IBAN. Add customs and financial statements if relevant. Scan everything as clear colour PDFs before you start to avoid upload rejections.

### Is EmaraTax the same as the old FTA portal?

No. EmaraTax replaced the older FTA e-services portal in 2022. All tax services, including VAT, corporate tax, and excise tax, now run through EmaraTax. Existing users were migrated automatically, but they need to verify their details and reset passwords on first login. New businesses should register directly on EmaraTax from the start.

### How long does EmaraTax registration take?

Creating the user account takes about 10 minutes. Building the taxable person profile and uploading documents takes another 20 to 30 minutes if your paperwork is ready. The FTA usually reviews VAT and corporate tax applications within 20 business days, although clean applications often clear faster. Incomplete documents add weeks of back and forth.

### Do I need a TRN if my revenue is below the VAT threshold?

You do not need a VAT TRN if your taxable supplies are below AED 187,500. However, you still need an EmaraTax account and corporate tax registration if you run a business in the UAE. Voluntary VAT registration is available between AED 187,500 and AED 375,000. Mandatory VAT registration applies above AED 375,000 in taxable supplies.

### Can one person manage several companies on EmaraTax?

Yes. A single EmaraTax user account can hold multiple taxable person profiles. This is common for owners with several trade licences or for accountants managing client portfolios. Each taxable person has its own TRN, returns, and payment history. You can switch between profiles from the dashboard and assign team members to specific entities.

### How do I add a tax agent or accountant to my EmaraTax account?

Log in as the owner and open the user management section. Invite the agent or accountant by email and assign a role such as preparer, submitter, or viewer. The invitee receives a link to set up their access. Registered tax agents can also link to your taxable person profile through the agent linking feature inside EmaraTax.


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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