Straight answers to the questions we hear most. Can't find yours? Ask us directly — the first consultation is free.
General
HST provides VAT and corporate tax consultancy, accounting and book-keeping, e-invoicing implementation, cost control advisory, SOPs, business setup, bank account opening assistance, AML compliance, due diligence, and financial and ICV audit services across the UAE.
HST is based at B-02, F-16, RAKEZ Business Center-2, Al Nakheel, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, and serves clients across all seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates.
Yes. HST offers a free initial consultation — contact us by phone, WhatsApp (+971 50 124 3735) or email ankita@holisticsolutionsuae.com to book a session.
HST was founded and is led by CA Ankita Agarwalla, a chartered accountant with extensive experience advising major companies under IFRS and UAE local standards.
Book-keeping is the day-to-day recording of transactions — sales, purchases, bank entries. Accounting builds on those records: closing entries, financial statements, analysis and management reporting. HST provides both as one seamless service, so your records always lead to decision-ready numbers.
Yes — IFRS is the accepted financial reporting framework in the UAE, and corporate tax returns are based on IFRS-compliant financial statements. HST prepares and evaluates your financials under IFRS and local standards.
Management Information System (MIS) reports summarise financial performance for decision-making — ageing analysis, cost-centre analysis, and revenue and cost trends. HST prepares them to management's exact requirements.
Yes. UAE commercial and tax law requires companies to maintain proper books of account and supporting records for at least 5 years. Accurate books are also the basis of VAT and corporate tax filings — penalties apply for inadequate records.
Best practice is daily or weekly recording with a monthly close. Timely books mean accurate VAT returns, no year-end surprises, and real-time visibility of cash flow and profitability.
Yes. HST provides catch-up book-keeping: we reconstruct and reconcile past records, bring everything current, and hand back clean, audit-ready books along with a process to keep them that way.
The rollout is phased: pilot and voluntary use from July 2026, with the system operational from October 2026. It becomes mandatory from 1 January 2027 for businesses with revenue of AED 50 million or more, from 1 July 2027 for other businesses, and from 1 October 2027 for B2G transactions.
Businesses need to appoint an Accredited Service Provider and issue structured electronic invoices in the official UAE format (PINT AE), integrated for automated processing. HST advises on ASP selection, ERP integration and FTA alignment.
Businesses in the UAE must register for VAT when taxable supplies and imports exceed AED 375,000 per year; voluntary registration is available above AED 187,500. HST handles the full registration process with the Federal Tax Authority.
Most UAE businesses file VAT returns quarterly, though the FTA may assign monthly periods. Returns and payment are due within 28 days of the end of each tax period.
Yes. The FTA accepts reconsideration requests filed with proper grounds and documentation. HST prepares and files reconsideration forms for VAT penalties on your behalf.
UAE corporate tax is 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% above that threshold. Qualifying free zone entities may benefit from a 0% rate on qualifying income.
Yes. All taxable persons, including free zone entities such as RAKEZ companies, must register for corporate tax with the FTA even if they expect to benefit from a 0% qualifying rate.
Transfer pricing rules require transactions between related parties to be priced at arm's length and documented. HST advises on compliance, documentation and international taxation, including DTAA benefits.
Any UAE business subject to corporate tax that transacts with related parties or connected persons — group companies, owners, directors or entities under common control — must apply the arm's-length principle to those transactions.
All taxable persons must disclose related-party transactions with their corporate tax return where thresholds are met. Larger groups may also need to maintain a Master File and Local File. HST assesses which requirements apply to you and prepares the documentation.
A fractional (outsourced) CFO provides senior financial leadership on a part-time or monthly basis — forecasting, cash flow management, investor reporting and strategy — giving SMEs executive-level expertise without the cost of a full-time hire.
Typical triggers: cash flow feels unpredictable, you're raising finance or reporting to investors, margins are unclear, or you're planning expansion. If decisions are being made without reliable numbers, it's time.
A cost control advisor identifies cost drivers, builds realistic budgets, sets up controls to flag overspending, and improves processes so every dirham spent delivers measurable value.
Cost cutting reduces spend across the board — often damaging quality and growth. Cost control identifies where spend creates value and where it leaks, so you spend smarter, protect margins and keep investing in what works.
Standard Operating Procedures ensure tasks are performed uniformly, reduce redundancy, support regulatory compliance, and make training and scaling far easier.
Yes. Free zone companies offer 100% foreign ownership, and most mainland activities now permit full foreign ownership as well. HST advises on the best structure for your goals.
Free zones offer 100% ownership, tax advantages and simpler setup; mainland licences allow unrestricted trading within the UAE market. The right choice depends on your activity, customers and cost targets.
Timelines vary by bank and profile — typically from a few days to several weeks. Complete, well-prepared documentation significantly speeds up approval, which is where HST assists.
Federal Decree-Law No. (20) of 2018 and Cabinet Decision No. (10) of 2019 set the UAE's anti-money laundering framework. Covered businesses must implement compliant policies, controls and reporting.
Financial institutions and Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs) — including real estate brokers, dealers in precious metals, auditors and corporate service providers — must comply and register on the goAML portal.
UAE companies must maintain a register of their Ultimate Beneficial Owners — the real persons who own or control the business — and keep it filed with their licensing authority. HST prepares and maintains UBO registers and filings.
Before mergers, acquisitions, partnerships, major vendor agreements or significant investments — any time verified financial, operational and compliance facts materially affect the decision.
The In-Country Value (ICV) certificate scores how much of a company's spend stays within the UAE economy. Higher ICV scores earn preference in procurement with major UAE entities such as ADNOC.
By increasing local sourcing, Emiratisation, local investment and UAE-based manufacturing. HST calculates your current score and builds an improvement plan before certification.
Still have a question?
Get a clear answer from a chartered expert — free.