What a UAE VAT tax invoice must contain (and a free generator)

A UAE tax invoice must clearly say "Tax Invoice" and show the supplier's name, address and Tax Registration Number, the customer's details, a unique invoice number, the date, a description of what was supplied, and the VAT charged in AED. A full invoice needs more detail per line than a simplified one, and you can make either for free with the tax invoice generator on this site.

What must a full UAE tax invoice include?

The FTA's VAT guide for taxable persons lists these items for a tax invoice:

• The words "Tax Invoice" clearly displayed.
• The supplier's name, address and Tax Registration Number (TRN).
• The recipient's name and address, and their TRN if they are registered for VAT.
• A sequential invoice number, or a unique number that identifies the invoice within any sequence.
• The date of issue, and the date of supply if it is different.
• A description of the goods or services supplied.
• For each line: the unit price, the quantity or volume, the VAT rate and the amount payable in AED.
• Any discount offered.
• The total amount payable in AED.
• If the invoice is in a foreign currency, the tax amount in AED and the exchange rate applied.
• If the recipient must account for the VAT themselves (the reverse charge), a reference to that and to the relevant provision of the law.

In a public clarification the FTA also says that on a full invoice each line item should show its tax value and its net value. It does not have to show a gross value per line, as long as the invoice shows the total gross amount payable.

When can I issue a simplified tax invoice?

The FTA allows a simplified tax invoice in two cases: the customer is not registered for VAT, or the customer is registered and the consideration for the supply is AED 10,000 or less. A simplified invoice still has to be issued and delivered. Offering to print one on request does not meet the requirement, and the FTA says that issuing the invoice is not optional.

A simplified invoice needs fewer details:

• The words "Tax Invoice" clearly displayed.
• The date of issue.
• The supplier's name, address and TRN.
• A description of the goods or services.
• The total consideration and the VAT amount charged.

You do not have to show a net value for each line on a simplified invoice. The total goes at the bottom with a separate line for the VAT included in it.

What if I invoice in dollars or another currency?

The FTA says an invoice in a currency other than AED must show the tax amount converted to AED and the exchange rate used, taken from the UAE Central Bank's published rate on the date of supply. An invoice that shows the VAT only in a foreign currency is, in the FTA's words, failing to issue a valid tax invoice. The generator has a currency field and an exchange rate field for this reason.

How should VAT be rounded?

If the tax works out to a fraction of a fils, it can be rounded to the nearest fils. The FTA says the tax is calculated line by line on a full invoice, so any rounding should also happen line by line. In practice: round to two decimal places, for example 2.357 becomes 2.36.

How do I use the free generator?

• Open the UAE tax invoice generator and choose full or simplified.
• Enter your business name, address and TRN, and the customer's details.
• Add line items with quantity, unit price and VAT rate. The standard rate is 5%, and you can change a line if it is zero-rated or exempt.
• Add a discount, a currency and an exchange rate if you need them.
• Check the live preview and the compliance checklist, then download the PDF.

It runs in your browser. Nothing is uploaded or stored, there is no signup and no watermark. It follows the fields above, but you are responsible for the accuracy of what you type.

Is a PDF invoice going to be enough in future?

Not necessarily. The UAE is phasing in mandatory e-invoicing, where invoice data is exchanged electronically in a structured format rather than as a PDF. As reported in January 2026, a pilot started on 1 July 2026, and mandatory adoption begins from 1 January 2027 for businesses with annual revenue of AED 50 million or more and mid-2027 for smaller ones. Reported deadlines have moved once already, so check the Ministry of Finance for the date that applies to you. My generator makes a PDF, which is a document, not an e-invoice in that sense.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a TRN on my invoice? If you are VAT-registered and making a taxable supply, yes. Your TRN must appear on the tax invoice.

Can I use the generator if I am not VAT-registered? If you are not VAT-registered, check with the FTA or a tax agent before charging VAT at all. The plain invoice generator has no VAT fields.

Does the FTA say how many days I have to issue an invoice? There are timing rules, and I have not quoted them because I did not confirm the current wording. Check the FTA guidance or ask a tax agent.