The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) lists 30 November for monthly VAT filers; 28 November falls on a Saturday and is not the date the FTA publishes. Late filing carries a fixed penalty.
What happened
The announcements page of the Federal Tax Authority (FTA, the UAE federal tax authority) shows two filing deadlines for November 2026: the VAT return is due by Monday 30 November, and the excise tax return by Monday 16 November. Some reminders in circulation cite 28 November for VAT; that day is a Saturday and is not the date published by the FTA.
What changes in practice
No rule changes; only the date to diarise. The 30 November deadline applies to the VAT return for the October tax period, for businesses that file monthly. Businesses on a quarterly filing cycle have a different deadline and are not affected.
Who it applies to
Businesses registered for VAT with a monthly tax period, whether located in a free zone or on the mainland. Excise tax (levied on tobacco, energy drinks and sweetened drinks) applies only to businesses with excise activity, whose return is due on 16 November.
The exposure
A late VAT return attracts an administrative penalty of AED 1,000 for the first instance and AED 2,000 if repeated within 24 months. Late payment of the tax due is penalised separately. Treating 28 November as the deadline leaves a margin of two days, but relying on it is not advisable: the October books should be closed well before the filing date.
What to do now
Correct the date in internal calendars and client reminders. Confirm in EmaraTax (the FTA's online portal) whether the entity files monthly or quarterly. Close the October accounts, with invoices and bank statements reconciled, by mid-November so that the return is not left to the final day.
Sources
Published 2 November 2026 on the basis of public sources and official United Arab Emirates instruments. This is not legal or tax advice. Verify your position with a qualified professional before acting.