UAE businesses offered free 30-minute e-invoicing readiness reviews
CompassPoint Consulting and Tax Star have partnered to help UAE businesses prepare for mandatory e-invoicing, offering a combined solution that integrates financial advisory with FTA-compliant technology. As the UAE rolls out its new regime from October 2026, companies must shift to structured, real-time invoice reporting via accredited providers. The partnership simplifies compliance through a single accountable route, including readiness assessments, system integration and training, with free 30-minute reviews available to guide businesses ahead of key deadlines.
UAE-based financial advisory firm CompassPoint Consulting has partnered with Tax Star, a pre-approved e-invoicing service provider, to help businesses prepare for the country’s upcoming mandatory e-invoicing regime.
The tie-up offers companies a single route to compliance by combining CompassPoint’s finance advisory and implementation support with Tax Star’s Federal Tax Authority (FTA)-aligned technology platform.
The UAE will introduce mandatory e-invoicing from October 2026 for in-scope business-to-business and business-to-government transactions, marking one of the most significant changes to corporate invoicing since the introduction of value-added tax in 2018.
Under the new framework, invoices must be issued as structured data through an Accredited Service Provider and reported to the FTA in near real time. Traditional formats such as PDFs or emailed invoices will no longer meet compliance requirements. “E-invoicing is the biggest compliance shift since VAT, and too many businesses are treating it as a problem for next year,” said Zaid Aboobaker, co-founder and CEO of CompassPoint Consulting. “Our job is to make it simple.”
The reform aims to improve tax compliance, increase transparency and reduce manual errors, while supporting the UAE’s broader digital transformation agenda. However, it also requires companies to overhaul invoicing workflows, accounting systems and internal processes.
CompassPoint will lead readiness assessments, workflow redesign and implementation support, while Tax Star will provide the regulated technology layer, including invoice validation, exchange via the Peppol network and reporting to the FTA.
“Compliance technology only works when it fits the business behind it,” said Rayhan Aleem, co-founder and CEO of Tax Star. Deadlines for compliance are approaching. Businesses with annual revenue above 50 million dirhams ($13.6 million) must appoint an accredited provider by Oct. 30, 2026 and go live by Jan. 1, 2027. Smaller firms must appoint a provider by March 31, 2027 and comply by July 1, 2027.
Non-compliance could result in penalties, including fines of 100 dirhams per missed invoice, capped at 5,000 dirhams per month, as well as additional penalties for late provider appointments.
The partners said they are offering companies a structured onboarding process, including readiness assessments, system integration and staff training. Businesses can also book a free 30-minute readiness review to assess their compliance requirements and timelines.
The service is now available across the UAE, targeting both existing CompassPoint clients and new businesses seeking standalone e-invoicing support.