What a UAE tax invoice must show
If your business is registered for VAT, the Federal Tax Authority expects a tax invoice to carry the words "Tax Invoice", your name, address and TRN, the customer's name and address (and their TRN if they are registered), a unique sequential invoice number, the date of issue, a description of each item with quantity, unit price and VAT rate, the total excluding VAT, the VAT amount and the total payable. When you enter a TRN, this generator switches the title to "Tax Invoice" and lays out all of these fields. If you invoice in another currency, it also shows the VAT and total in dirhams with the exchange rate, as the rules require.
UAE e-invoicing explained: who, what and when
The UAE is moving business invoices from paper and PDF to structured electronic invoices. Under Ministerial Decisions No. 243 and No. 244 of 2025, invoices between businesses (B2B) and with government (B2G) will have to be issued as e-invoices in a set data format and exchanged through a service provider accredited by the Ministry of Finance, which also reports the data to the Federal Tax Authority. Sales to consumers (B2C) are outside the scope for now. A PDF made with this generator is a tax invoice, not an e-invoice: it is not in the e-invoicing data format and is not sent through an accredited provider. Once e-invoicing applies to your business, you will need a provider for the invoices in scope. The Ministry of Finance has published these dates:
- From 1 July 2026: a pilot phase, and any business may start using e-invoicing voluntarily.
- Businesses with annual revenue of AED 50 million or more: appoint an accredited service provider by 30 October 2026 (extended from 31 July 2026). E-invoicing is mandatory from 1 January 2027.
- Businesses with revenue below AED 50 million: appoint a provider by 31 March 2027. Mandatory from 1 July 2027.
- Government entities: appoint a provider by 31 March 2027. Mandatory from 1 October 2027.
Dates can change. Check the Ministry of Finance e-invoicing page for the latest.
Standard, zero-rated and exempt items
Most goods and services in the UAE carry 5% VAT. Some supplies are zero-rated, such as most exports of goods and services outside the GCC and international transport, so they are taxable at 0%. Others are exempt, such as most residential rents, bare land and local passenger transport, and no VAT is charged on them at all. Choose the right treatment for each line and the invoice shows separate totals for zero-rated and exempt supplies. If you are unsure how a supply is treated, check with the FTA or a tax agent before issuing the invoice.
English, Arabic or bilingual invoices
Many customers in the Gulf, especially government entities and larger companies, prefer or require Arabic on invoices. Choose English, Arabic or both, and every heading on the invoice changes, including the total written out in words, using the correct grammar for dirhams, riyals and other currencies. Item descriptions and addresses can be typed in either language and display correctly. The PDF is made by your browser, so Arabic text keeps its proper shape and right-to-left order.
Private by design, and what it does not do
Your invoice is built inside this page and printed by your own browser. The details are never uploaded to NeedMyTools, and if you choose "Remember" they are saved only in this browser on this device. The tool does not keep a record of the invoices you issue, so save each PDF, and keep your numbering in sequence.