FTA Portal Invoice Submission UAE
Complete Guide to FTA E-Invoice Submission
FTA portal invoice submission in the UAE refers to the regulated process of submitting, validating, storing, or reporting electronic invoices in accordance with UAE Federal Tax Authority (FTA) requirements. Unlike traditional VAT filing, e-invoice submission is transaction-level, not summary-based.
What Is FTA Portal Invoice Submission in the UAE?
FTA portal invoice submission in the UAE refers to the regulated process of submitting, validating, storing, or reporting electronic invoices in accordance with UAE Federal Tax Authority (FTA) requirements.
As the UAE transitions toward mandatory e-invoicing (Phase 2), businesses must understand when, how, and in what format invoices interact with FTA systems — either directly or indirectly through accredited platforms.
Critical Distinction
Unlike traditional VAT filing, e-invoice submission is transaction-level, not summary-based. This makes invoice accuracy, format, validation, and system integration critical for compliance.
Is Invoice Submission to the FTA Portal Mandatory?
Current Status
Currently, the UAE does not require all businesses to manually upload every invoice to the FTA portal. However:
Key Point: The compliance risk is not about "uploading today" — it's about being technically capable of submission when required.
How FTA Portal Invoice Submission Will Work
Based on official guidance and global e-invoicing frameworks, the UAE model is expected to follow a PEPPOL-based 5-corner or 6-corner approach
Invoice Generated in Business System
ERP, POS, or accounting software creates the invoice
Invoice Converted into FTA-Approved XML Format
Structured data transformation (UBL, PINT AE)
Digital Signature and Validation Applied
Authenticity and integrity checks
Invoice Transmitted via Certified Access Point
PEPPOL network or accredited platform
FTA Can Validate, Request, Audit, or Retrieve Invoice Data
When needed for compliance verification
Critical Warning
This means businesses must not rely on PDFs or manual uploads.
Common Pain Areas with FTA Invoice Submission
1. Manual Invoice Upload Limitations
2. Incorrect Invoice Structure
3. No XML or PEPPOL Readiness
4. Lack of Audit Trails
FTA-Approved Invoice Data Requirements
To be submission-ready, invoices must contain
Mandatory Invoice Fields
Warning: Any missing or invalid field can lead to rejection or penalties.
XML vs PDF for FTA Portal Submission
| Feature | PDF Invoice | XML E-Invoice |
|---|---|---|
| Human readable | Yes | Yes (via render) |
| Machine readable | No | Yes |
| Automated validation | No | Yes |
| FTA audit friendly | No | Yes |
| Future mandate compliant | No | Yes |
Conclusion: FTA portal invoice submission will rely on XML, not PDFs.
Role of AIS in FTA Portal Invoice Submission Readiness
AIS Business Corp prepares businesses for FTA-compliant invoice submission without disrupting existing operations
AIS Adopter – For Simple Submission Readiness
Ideal for: SMEs and freelancers.
AIS Connector – For Automated & Scalable Submission
Result: AIS ensures businesses are submission-capable, not just invoice-capable.
Implementation Steps for FTA Invoice Submission Compliance
Invoice Process Assessment
Current invoice format • Volume and frequency • Customer types (B2B, B2G, B2C)
Format & Data Mapping
Align invoice fields to FTA schema • VAT logic validation • Currency and rounding rules
System Integration
ERP or billing software connection • XML generation logic • Digital signature enablement
Validation & Testing
Sample invoice submission tests • Error handling workflows • Audit scenario testing
Go-Live & Monitoring
Live invoice flows • Continuous compliance checks • Regulatory update handling
When Does the FTA Require Invoice Submission?
FTA May Require Invoice Submission During:
Risk: Being unprepared at these moments creates operational and legal risk.
FTA Portal Submission vs VAT Return Filing
| Aspect | VAT Return | Invoice Submission |
|---|---|---|
| Level | Summary | Transaction |
| Frequency | Periodic | Continuous / On-demand |
| Format | Numeric | Structured XML |
| Audit reliance | Medium | High |
| Automation | Limited | Mandatory |
Important: They are not the same and must be treated separately.
FAQs: FTA Portal Invoice Submission
Do I need to upload every invoice to the FTA portal?
Not currently, but you must be technically ready to submit invoices when required.
Are PDFs accepted by the FTA?
PDFs are not sufficient for future e-invoicing and automated validation.
Is XML mandatory for FTA invoice submission?
Yes. Structured electronic invoices are the foundation of UAE e-invoicing.
Can I submit invoices manually?
Manual uploads may be allowed temporarily but are not scalable or future-proof.
Does AIS submit invoices directly to FTA?
AIS prepares, validates, and transmits invoices via compliant frameworks, ensuring readiness for FTA interaction.
When will real-time invoice submission start?
The FTA has signaled phased enforcement. Businesses should prepare before mandates go live.
FTA Portal Invoice Submission Readiness
Request an FTA readiness assessment and eliminate invoice submission risk before enforcement begins.
Digitize deliveries exponentially.
AIS Business Corp | www.aiscorp.ai | Dubai, UAE | FTA-Approved ASP
