Tax Document Translation for the FTA in the UAE (2026)
The Short Answer
Under Article 5 of Federal Decree-Law No. 28 of 2022 on Tax Procedures, documents submitted to the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) are in Arabic. The FTA may accept another language, usually English, but it can ask for an Arabic translation, and the taxpayer is responsible for the accuracy of that translation and pays for it. In practice, translation is needed when the FTA asks for it during an audit, when your records are in a third language such as Chinese, German or Russian, and when a dispute goes to a Tax Disputes Resolution Committee or court, where Arabic is required.
Smart World Legal Translation (SWLT) is an MOJ-licensed translation office in Abu Dhabi that translates financial and tax documents from 50+ languages, from AED 80 per 200-word page (excl. 5% VAT). We translate; we do not give tax or accounting advice.
When Tax Documents Need Translating
With corporate tax applying from financial years starting on or after 1 June 2023, alongside VAT and excise tax, the FTA looks at more documents than before. Translation typically comes up in five situations:
- Tax audits. Auditors ask for contracts, supply agreements, shipping documents or board decisions behind specific transactions, and may ask for them in Arabic.
- Documents in a third language. Invoices, contracts and tax residency certificates from suppliers or a parent company in China, Europe or Russia need translating before the FTA can rely on them.
- Reconsideration, objections and disputes. Once a dispute reaches a Tax Disputes Resolution Committee or the courts, submissions and evidence must be in Arabic.
- Transfer pricing files. Intra-group service, management fee and loan agreements support the arm’s length position and are often requested during review.
- Free zone and group structures. Audited accounts, qualifying-activity contracts and ownership documents support Qualifying Free Zone Person status and tax group applications.
Which Documents Are Usually Translated
| Document | Used for | Typical requirement | Translation focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audited financial statements | Corporate tax returns, audits, bank and tender files | Arabic or English; certified translation when requested | IFRS terminology, notes and totals that reconcile |
| Foreign tax residency certificates | Double tax treaty relief | Legalised or apostilled, then certified translation | Company name, tax ID and period exactly as issued |
| Supply and service contracts | VAT treatment and place of supply | Certified translation of the relevant clauses and annexes | Incoterms, place of use, payment terms |
| Tax invoices and customs declarations | VAT refunds and audits | Certified translation from the source language | Line items, currencies and exchange rates kept in the original layout |
| Board resolutions and articles | Ownership, tax groups, authorised signatories | Attested, then certified translation | Shareholdings and voting rights stated precisely |
For corporate documents that also need attestation, see our guides to board resolution translation and MOFA attestation.
Terminology Errors That Cause Problems
Tax translation is accounting translation. The errors we see most often in files that come to us for correction:
- Exempt vs zero-rated. “Exempt supply” (توريد معفى) and “zero-rated supply” (توريد خاضع لنسبة الصفر) have different VAT consequences; mixing them changes the meaning of a contract or a ruling request.
- Provisions, reserves and accruals. Balance-sheet terms need the standard Arabic IFRS equivalents, not paraphrases.
- Numbers and decimals. In large tables, a shifted comma or a currency missed in a column breaks the reconciliation.
- Names. The company name, Tax Registration Number and period must match the FTA record exactly.
- Machine translation. Automatic tools translate clauses but miss defined terms and cross-references, so the Arabic contract reads differently from the English one.
How We Handle Tax and Audit Files
Certified by an MOJ-licensed translator
Translations are stamped and signed for submission to the FTA, committees, courts and banks.
Confidential handling
We sign an NDA on request and limit access to the translators working on your file.
Tables kept intact
Send the Excel or Word source with the PDF and we keep the layout, totals and numbering so your auditors can check line by line.
Capacity for audit deadlines
Our team handles up to 100 pages a day, so a full set of accounts and contracts can be turned around within an FTA deadline. See our financial statements translation and financial translation pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the FTA accept documents in English?
In many routine cases, yes. But the law lets the FTA ask for an Arabic translation, and documents in other languages, or filed before a committee or court, need Arabic.
Who is responsible if the translation is wrong?
The taxpayer. The FTA can rely on the translation you submit, which is why accounting accuracy matters.
How much does it cost?
From AED 80 per 200-word page for Arabic and English, AED 100 for French, AED 150 for German, Italian or Turkish, and AED 250 for other languages such as Chinese, Russian or Urdu (all excl. 5% VAT). Urgent work is priced on request, and large files receive discounts.
How long does a full set of accounts take?
Certificates and short documents are usually ready the same day or within 24 hours. Annual reports and audit files depend on length; we confirm a timeline with the quote.
Do you give tax advice?
No. SWLT translates. For tax positions, speak to a registered tax agent or a licensed auditor.
Disclaimer
This article is general information about translating tax documents in the UAE and is not tax, accounting or legal advice. Requirements change; check the Federal Tax Authority website and ask your tax agent about your filing.
Get Your Tax Documents Translated
Send the documents the FTA or your auditor asked for and we will reply with a confidential quote. Smart World Legal Translation is led by Dr. Hani Elimam (MOJ-licensed translator, AIIC member), has translated legal documents since 2014 and is rated 4.8/5 on Google. Send your documents on WhatsApp (+971 50 864 8439), email info@swlt.ae, or use our contact page.