Fees, VAT & charges

Is VAT Charged on Commercial Rent in Dubai?

Short answer

Yes, Value Added Tax (VAT) is applicable on commercial rent in Dubai.

According to UAE tax regulations, a standard 5% VAT is charged on the lease of commercial properties. This applies to all types of commercial leases, including offices, warehouses, and retail spaces. However, VAT is not applicable to residential leases.

Tenants renting commercial properties should be aware that the VAT will be added to the rental payments, and it is the landlord’s responsibility to ensure compliance with VAT laws by issuing VAT-compliant invoices and submitting the necessary tax returns to the Federal Tax Authority (FTA).

Figures to know

4%
DLD fee for registering a sale, ready or off-plan, of the contract price
Executive Council Resolution No. 30 of 2013 (DLD fees)
2% + 2%
the 4% DLD transfer fee is split equally between seller and buyer unless the contract says otherwise
Executive Council Resolution No. 30 of 2013 (DLD fees)
0.25%
DLD fee for registering a mortgage, of the loan amount
Executive Council Resolution No. 30 of 2013 (DLD fees)
Rate × area
annual service charge: the rate per sq ft approved for the building, times the unit's area; the rate of every project is public in the Mollak index
Dubai Land Department: Service Charge Index (Mollak)

What a purchase costs on top of the price

Enter your figures. Buyer’s side, without agency commission.

DLD transfer fee, 4%AED 80,000
Title deedAED 580
Trustee office, with VATAED 4,200
Mortgage registrationAED 0
Total on top of the priceAED 84,780

Indicative calculation, not an offer. Published figures differ slightly; we give the exact statement after the NOC and the bank letters.

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