If your books are months or years behind, we rebuild them from bank statements, invoices and receipts, then reconcile every account so your VAT and corporate tax returns can be filed on accurate figures. The FTA requires records to be kept for 7 years, and a late corporate tax return costs AED 500 a month in the first year.
Why catching up matters now
Corporate tax made accurate books a legal requirement for every UAE company. A return is due within 9 months of each year end, and filing late costs AED 500 a month for the first 12 months and AED 1,000 a month after that (Federal Tax Authority). The return depends on the accounts, so if the books are behind, the return will be late or wrong. Records also have to be kept for 7 years and produced if the FTA asks (Finance Middle East on FTA guidance).
How we rebuild the books
- Collect bank statements for every account and card, sales and purchase invoices, and contracts.
- Record every transaction and reconcile each bank account to the statement balance.
- Rebuild receivables, payables, fixed assets and inventory.
- Separate personal spending from business spending and record owner withdrawals properly.
- Prepare financial statements for each year, ready for the return or an auditor.
“Within a maximum of nine (9) months from the end of their relevant Tax Period.”
What if VAT returns were also wrong?
We compare the rebuilt books with the VAT returns already filed. Where tax was under-declared, a voluntary disclosure made before the FTA contacts you costs far less than one made after an audit notice: since 14 April 2026 the extra penalty after a notice is 15% (Al Tamimi summary of Cabinet Decision No. 129 of 2025). Where you overpaid, we look at whether the input tax can still be recovered within the five-year limit.
How long does it take?
It depends on volume and how complete your documents are. A small company with one bank account and 12 months behind can often be caught up in 2 to 4 weeks. We agree a fixed price before we start, then move you onto monthly bookkeeping so it does not happen again.
Frequently asked questions
We have lost some invoices. Can you still do it?
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Usually yes. Bank statements are the backbone; we request copies of missing invoices from suppliers and customers and document anything that cannot be found.
Can you file the returns once the books are done?
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Yes. We file outstanding VAT and corporate tax returns and handle any voluntary disclosures.
Is the price fixed?
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Yes. We quote a fixed price after reviewing your bank statements and the period involved.
Sources
- FTA emphasises the need to submit tax returns and settle Corporate Tax payable within specified deadlines to avoid late payment penalties — Federal Tax Authority, 14 September 2025. Checked 23 October 2026.
- FTA orders seven-year corporate tax record retention, sets nine-month filing deadline — Finance Middle East. Checked 17 October 2026.
- UAE introduces comprehensive tax penalty reform, effective 14 April 2026 (Cabinet Decision No. 129 of 2025) — Al Tamimi & Company. Checked 16 October 2026.