What does VAT number in UAE Means for Invoices and Compliance?

A VAT account in the UAE starts with a simple code. That code is the VAT number in UAE, also called the Tax Registration Number or TRN.

It is a unique 15 digit number issued by the Federal Tax Authority to each person registered for VAT. The number links a business to its VAT returns, tax invoices and FTA records.

This guide explains what the VAT number means, where it must appear, how to check it online and how clean use of the TRN reduces risk during tax reviews.

Overview of VAT Number in UAE

The VAT number in the UAE is a tax ID for VAT. The Federal Tax Authority issues this number after it approves a VAT registration on the EmaraTax portal.

The official VAT registration service confirms that the FTA registers eligible persons so they can obtain a Tax Registration Number and meet their obligations.

Key points about the VAT number or TRN:

• It is a unique identifier for each VAT registrant.
• It appears on VAT registration certificates and FTA records.
• It must be used on tax invoices, VAT returns and many customs forms.

So when someone asks “what is VAT number in UAE?”, a clear answer should be – a 15-digit TRN issued by the FTA to any person registered for VAT.

Format and Where The VAT Number Appears

Guides on UAE VAT and IT system help pages state that the TRN is a 15-digit numeric code with no spaces.

In daily work, the VAT number in UAE should appear on:

• VAT registration certificate issued through EmaraTax.
• Tax invoices, credit notes and VAT returns for that registrant.

Many businesses also show the TRN in the footer of their websites and on letterheads. That step is not only about design. It reassures customers that VAT on invoices is linked to a real FTA registration.

Who Needs a VAT Number and When

Not every entity in the UAE holds a VAT number. FTA guidance explains that a business must register for VAT, and so obtain a TRN, if its taxable supplies and imports exceed AED 375,000 in a 12 month period. Voluntary registration is allowed at AED 187,500.

Once FTA approves the application, it issues a TRN through the VAT registration service on tax.gov.ae or through EmaraTax.

That TRN is then treated as the official VAT registration number in UAE for that person. It stays active until deregistration, unless FTA amends it for some reason such as a merged account.

How to Check VAT Number in UAE?

Businesses often want to confirm that a supplier’s VAT number is valid before claiming input tax. That is where the question of how to check VAT number in UAE comes in.

The Federal Tax Authority provides an online TRN verification tool through its e-services. Public summaries of this service explain that users can enter a TRN on the FTA site and see if it matches a registered name.

The basic steps are:

1. Go to the FTA e-services or EmaraTax site.
2. Open the TRN verification page.
3. Enter the 15 digit VAT number and submit the form.
4. Check that the displayed legal name matches the supplier or customer.

This is a small process of how to check VAT registration number in UAE. If the search shows no record, or shows a different name, finance teams should pause and review contracts and invoices before they claim any input VAT.

Using The VAT Number In Daily Work

Once a TRN is active, it must sit inside basic finance workflows:

• On invoices and credit notes. FTA guidance and many industry explanations highlight that a valid TRN must appear on tax invoices so customers can reclaim VAT.
• On VAT returns. The TRN identifies the taxable person when a VAT return is filed each period.
• On VAT certificates and some tax applications. When a business applies for a VAT certificate or a tax residency certificate it must select the correct TRN in EmaraTax.

Clean records mean that every invoice, return and FTA form shows the same TRN with no typing mistakes. That is why many groups embed the number into their ERP and e-invoicing systems instead of typing it manually.

Common Errors to Avoid With the VAT Number

Here’s the most common errors while checking VAT number:

• Using the trade licence number instead of the TRN on invoices.
• Printing the TRN with spaces or missing digits so it fails online checks.
• Using one TRN across several legal entities just because they share a brand.
• Claiming input VAT on invoices where the TRN belongs to a different supplier name.

Simple controls help. Finance teams can keep a master file of group TRNs, run supplier TRNs through the FTA tool during onboarding and add automated checks inside their systems.

How Arnifi Helps With VAT Number in UAE?

The VAT number in UAE looks like a small detail, yet it carries real weight in audits. For expert assistance in the process, consult Arnifi. Our team reviews how your TRNs are stored in contracts, systems and invoice formats, then matches them with FTA records. 

The team can also set up simple TRN checks for supplier onboarding and train staff on the correct way to read VAT certificates and EmaraTax screens.

FAQs

1. What is the VAT number in the UAE called officially?

It is called the Tax Registration Number (TRN). It is a unique 15 digit number that the Federal Tax Authority gives to each VAT registered person.

2. Who receives a VAT number in the UAE?

 Anyone approved for VAT registration gets a VAT number. Most businesses must register once taxable sales pass AED 375,000 in 12 months. Smaller ones can choose to register earlier.

3. How to check VAT number in UAE for a supplier?

 Go to the FTA e-services or EmaraTax site and use the TRN check tool. Enter the 15 digit TRN and confirm the shown legal name matches the supplier.

4. Is the VAT registration number in UAE the same as the corporate tax number?

No. VAT uses a TRN linked to VAT registration. Corporate tax has its own registration and a separate number, even though both sit on EmaraTax. The FTA issues each registration through different service cards and forms.

5. What happens if an invoice shows a wrong VAT number?

If an invoice has an incorrect or fake TRN, the FTA may treat the VAT as improperly charged. The customer can face blocked input tax, and both parties may face penalties if the error is serious or repeated. Checking TRNs against the FTA tool reduces that risk.