Professional services
Bill your time. Fisqel handles the rest.
Retainers that go out on time, clients at home and abroad, software paid to foreign suppliers. The VAT treatment differs for each, and Fisqel keeps them apart.
| Line | VAT |
|---|---|
| Retainer — client in Dubai | 5% |
| Advisory — client abroad, no UAE presence | 0% |
| Design software — overseas supplier | Reverse charge |
What's different about your books
Services abroad can be zero-rated
Services to a client with no UAE presence, who is outside the UAE when the service is performed, can be zero-rated. The conditions are strict.
Reverse charge on imports
Software, ads and other services bought from overseas suppliers usually fall under the reverse charge: you account for the VAT yourself on the return.
Retainers
A monthly retainer is a fresh supply each month, with its own tax invoice and VAT.
Quotes before work
Most work starts with a proposal. Turning it into the invoice without retyping saves errors.
General information about UAE VAT, not tax advice. How a rule applies depends on your exact supplies; check with your accountant or the FTA.
How Fisqel fits your day
Invoicing
Recurring retainers
Set the schedule once; each invoice goes out numbered and booked.
Learn moreQuotations & projects
Proposal to invoice
Quote in a message; invoice the accepted quotation in one step.
Learn moreVAT returns
Reverse charge on the return
Overseas services shown in their own boxes, charged and recovered.
Learn moreExpenses & receipts
Subscriptions from a PDF
Send the PDF invoice from your software supplier; it's read and filed.
Learn more
Questions
Is every service to a foreign client zero-rated?
No. The client must have no UAE presence and the conditions must be met; otherwise 5% applies. Check each client with your accountant.
Do I charge VAT on a retainer paid in advance?
VAT is due on the earlier of the invoice or the payment, so an advance payment generally triggers VAT when it's received.
Can I track time?
Fisqel records projects with hourly or fixed billing; detailed time sheets are best kept in your own tool.
Other industries
Keep your books the way you run your business.
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