Monthly Excise Tax Return Filing UAE
Every excise-registered business must file a monthly return by the 15th of the following month — every month, without exception. Miss the 15th and the penalty is AED 1,000. Miss it again within 24 months and it doubles to AED 2,000.
Who Must File Monthly Excise Returns?
All excise-registered businesses: importers, producers, and stockpilers of excise goods. The obligation is monthly with no quarterly option.
| Month | Return Due Date |
|---|---|
| January 2026 | 15 February 2026 |
| February 2026 | 15 March 2026 |
| March 2026 | 15 April 2026 |
| April 2026 | 15 May 2026 |
| May 2026 | 15 June 2026 |
| Every subsequent month | 15th of following month |
How Monthly Excise Return Filing Works
Monthly Stock and Sales Data Collection
We collect your monthly excise goods movement data: quantities imported, quantities produced, quantities sold or released for consumption, and ending stock levels. This data forms the basis for the return calculation.
Excise Tax Calculation and Return Preparation
We calculate excise tax due on all goods released for consumption during the month — applying the correct rate per product (100% or 50% of retail selling price). We prepare the monthly return and cross-check against import customs declarations and stock records.
EmaraTax Submission by the 15th
We submit your excise return via EmaraTax before the 15th deadline and confirm the payment amount due. Excise tax must be paid by the same 15th deadline — we notify you of the exact payment amount in advance so bank transfers can be arranged on time.
Transparent Pricing — No Surprises
Monthly Excise Return (Single Product)
AED 500 – 1,000 per month
- ✓Stock movement data review
- ✓Excise tax calculation
- ✓EmaraTax monthly return submission
- ✓Payment amount confirmation
Monthly Excise Return (Multiple Products)
AED 1,000 – 2,000 per month
- ✓Everything in Single Product
- ✓Multiple product line calculations
- ✓Designated zone movement tracking
- ✓Monthly compliance health check
- ✓Stock reconciliation
AED 1,000 penalty for late filing. Monthly service starts at AED 500. One missed deadline costs more than a full quarter of professional filing.
Monthly Excise Return UAE — Common Questions
When is the monthly excise tax return due?
The excise tax return and payment are due on the 15th day of the month following the tax period. Excise tax is calculated on a calendar month basis. The return for January (goods released in January) is due 15 February. The return for December 2026 is due 15 January 2027.
What is the penalty for late excise tax return filing?
Under Cabinet Decision No. 49 of 2021, the late filing penalty is AED 1,000 for the first offence, increasing to AED 2,000 if the offence is repeated within 24 months. Additionally, late payment of excise tax accrues interest at 14% per annum from the due date, effective April 2026 under Cabinet Decision No. 129 of 2025.
What data do I need to file the excise tax return?
You need: total quantities of excise goods imported during the month (with customs declaration references), quantities produced (if applicable), quantities sold or released for consumption, quantities transferred to or from Designated Zones, and closing stock levels. All data must reconcile with customs records and warehouse stock counts.
Can I file a nil excise return if I had no activity?
Yes. If no excise goods were imported, produced, or released for consumption during a month, a nil return must still be filed by the 15th deadline. Failure to file a nil return carries the same AED 1,000 penalty as missing a substantive return.
How is excise tax calculated on my products?
Excise tax is calculated as a percentage of the designated retail selling price published by the FTA — not your actual selling price. For tobacco and energy drinks, the rate is 100% of the retail price. For carbonated and sweetened drinks, it is 50%. If a product does not have an FTA-designated price, the standard selling price is used.
Never Miss the 15th — Monthly Excise Filing Service
We file every month before the deadline. You send us the data, we handle the rest.
Start Monthly Excise Filing →