VAT & Excise Tax Advisory in Saudi Arabia
VAT advisory for Saudi businesses: registration, invoices, return review and reconciliation. For excise tax questions, start with the product and your business’s role so the team can define a separate review scope.
We agree the scope and fees with you before work begins.
Which VAT service does your business need?
Registration, return review and a transaction assessment are different engagements. Use this comparison to define the work before agreeing a scope.
| Your need | What to prepare | Output to discuss |
|---|---|---|
| Registration or a status change | Business activity, supplies and current registration status | A review of registration information, unresolved questions and the appropriate next step |
| Return preparation or review | The period, sales and purchase reports and return working paper | A working paper or review findings connecting figures to their source records |
| An invoice or a specific transaction | The contract, transaction description, invoice and parties | Technical observations and clarification questions for the transaction being assessed |
| Differences between reports | Report versions, extraction settings and period | A reconciliation recording differences, evidenced explanations and open items |
These are examples of scope. Deliverables, responsibilities and any submission to the authority are agreed in the engagement.
Is this the support you need?
For owners and finance teams clarifying registration, reviewing an invoice or transaction, or investigating a difference between sales reports and a VAT return working paper. Discuss a specific question or a review of an agreed period.
When this support is useful
Sales reports and the return do not agree
Compare periods, filters and whether amounts include VAT. Keep a record of each difference rather than changing reports simply to align their totals.
You need an invoice or transaction reviewed
Prepare the transaction description, document and relationship between the parties. An invoice review differs from reviewing system configuration or all transactions in a period.
A return is approaching internal approval
Identify source reports, the version to be approved, unresolved differences and the person authorised to approve submission.
VAT registration, returns and review support
Review the information needed to discuss VAT registration or related changes.
Assess invoice, credit-note and transaction questions against the available documents.
Prepare or review VAT return working papers and supporting information within the engagement.
Reconcile sales and purchase reports to the return scope and document differences needing explanation.
Organise documents and questions relating to an authority information request or review.
We review your requirements, then agree the scope of work and next steps with you.
Outputs to agree with the team
- A list of differences and missing information linked to source records.
- Review findings or a reconciliation working paper within the agreed scope.
- Specific questions requiring further transaction review and agreed follow-up actions.
Agree the output format and review boundaries in the engagement; not every item is included in every scope.
A sales report displays VAT-inclusive amounts while a comparison worksheet uses VAT-exclusive values. Before treating the gap as an error, establish the basis of each report and investigate any remaining differences. Matching totals alone do not establish that a return is correct.
Prepare for the first conversation.
- Registration status, business activity and the period in question.
- Sales and purchase reports, including extraction settings and filters.
- The return working paper or submitted return where relevant to the review.
- Examples of relevant invoices, credit notes and contracts through an agreed sharing channel.
Start with a general description. The team will discuss the documents needed and an appropriate sharing channel.
Excise tax advisory in Saudi Arabia
If your question concerns an excise product, start with the product description and your business’s role in producing, importing or handling it. These facts help Mada define the question and review scope; a VAT return review is not a substitute for an excise review.
What should you prepare for the discussion?
- The product description, specifications and any classification or registration question.
- The business activity and role, current registration status and period concerned.
- A list of available records, such as import documents, inventory movements or the return relevant to the question.
Discuss a review of the facts, open questions, required documents and the format of technical findings. Each engagement depends on the product, activity and procedure concerned.
Choose VAT & excise tax in the form and mention that your question concerns excise. Requirements and treatment are reviewed against the specific case and official references; this preparation list does not determine a rate or registration eligibility.
What should be agreed before work begins?
Deliverables
Clarify what you need to receive: a review, written memorandum, findings list or support with a specific process, depending on the engagement.
Responsibilities
Who supplies information, who reviews it and who authorises a filing or action? Define these roles within the agreed scope.
Scope and boundaries
Discuss inclusions, exclusions, fees, target turnaround and any work that would require a separate engagement.
Outcomes and timing depend on the facts, completeness of documents and relevant procedures. An enquiry or this page does not guarantee an outcome or confirm acceptance of an engagement.
Meet the Mada teamQuestions before you begin
Do I need registration support or return review?
If registration status is unresolved, start with your activity, supplies and registration information. For a return-period question, prepare the reports, working file and differences. These may require separate scopes.
Does invoice review include electronic invoicing implementation?
Reviewing a document or its tax treatment does not automatically include implementing a system or technical integration. Specify whether you need invoice advice, tax review or technical work and agree responsibilities.
Can a previously submitted VAT return be reviewed?
You can discuss a review of the return and supporting information. A difference alone is not a reason to amend a return; establish its cause and the appropriate action and authority first.
Can the review work alongside our existing accountant?
Yes. The scope can be coordinated with the people maintaining your records, identifying source information, enquiry ownership and who approves an action.
Is excise tax the same topic as VAT?
They are different taxes. VAT work may concern invoices and returns; an excise enquiry starts with the product, the business’s role and registration status. Identify the tax so the team can discuss an appropriate scope.