# How to Register for VAT in Saudi Arabia: Step-by-Step Guide *When registration becomes compulsory, which documents you need, and how the process runs on the ZATCA portal until your certificate arrives.* > **In short:** How to register for VAT in Saudi Arabia step by step: the SAR 375,000 mandatory threshold, the SAR 187,500 voluntary one, required documents and your TRN. - **URL:** https://www.snad.io/en/blog/tasjil-daribat-qima-mudafa-khutwa - **Arabic original:** https://www.snad.io/blog/tasjil-daribat-qima-mudafa-khutwa - **Category:** Explainers — ZATCA & Tax - **Tags:** VAT registration, registration threshold, tax registration number, tax registration certificate, Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, ZATCA - **Published:** 2026-06-14 - **Updated:** 2026-08-02 - **Publisher:** Snad (snad.io) VAT registration in Saudi Arabia becomes mandatory once your annual taxable supplies pass SAR 375,000, and voluntary once they pass SAR 187,500. The process runs on the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) portal once you have your commercial registration and IBAN ready, and it ends with a registration certificate and a 15-digit tax registration number. This guide walks through the steps one at a time, from checking the threshold to issuing your first tax invoice. ## Who Must Register Your obligation to register is set by your total **annual taxable supplies**: - **Mandatory registration**: required if your taxable supplies exceeded SAR 375,000 over 12 months, or if you expect them to. - **Voluntary registration**: available if your taxable supplies or taxable expenses exceed SAR 187,500. Voluntary registration is useful for an early-stage business that pays input tax and wants to recover it. Crossing the mandatory threshold without registering exposes you to penalties. ## Step One: Confirm You Have Crossed the Threshold Add up your total taxable supplies (standard-rated at 15% and zero-rated) over the past 12 months, along with your forecast for the next 12 months. - If either figure passes SAR 375,000, registration is **mandatory** within the statutory deadline. - Exempt supplies do not count toward the registration threshold. Keep a statement that supports your figure, because the Authority may ask for it. Registering late after crossing the threshold is one of the most common violations among growing businesses. ## Step Two: Gather the Required Documents Before you start the application, prepare: - A valid **commercial registration (CR)**. - The **IBAN** of the company's bank account. - Official contact details and business activity information. - An estimate of annual taxable revenue and expenses. An active company account on the ZATCA portal is a basic requirement. Preparing these documents in advance cuts the process down to a few minutes. ## Step Three: Log In to the ZATCA Portal Sign in to the ZATCA e-portal using your company account. - Select the **VAT registration** service from the list of tax services. - Check that your core company details (commercial registration, business activity) are up to date and correct before you continue. If you do not have an account yet, you will first need to create a company account and link it to your commercial registration. ## Step Four: Complete the Registration Form On the registration form, enter: - The **start date of your taxable activity**, plus actual and expected revenue. - The **bank account number (IBAN)** used to refund any amounts owed to you. - Your choice of tax period (monthly or quarterly, depending on the size of your supplies). Review the details carefully before you submit. Errors in revenue or in the start date can affect your tax periods and your returns later on. ## Step Five: Receive Your Certificate and Tax Registration Number Once your application is approved, the Authority issues: - A **VAT registration certificate**. - A 15-digit **tax registration number (TRN)**. That number must appear on every tax invoice you issue. Keep the certificate and display it at your place of business where required. From this point on, you are responsible for collecting the tax and filing your returns on time. ## Step Six: Start Issuing Tax Invoices Once you are registered, comply immediately with the following: - Issue compliant **tax invoices** that carry your tax registration number, the tax rate and the tax amount. - Apply **e-invoicing** in line with ZATCA's requirements and phases. - File your **VAT return** at the end of each period and pay what is due on time. Complying from day one keeps you clear of late-filing and non-compliance penalties. ## How Snad Prepares You for Tax Compliance After you register, Snad makes compliance automatic. You enter your tax registration number once, and the system issues **compliant tax and electronic invoices** that meet ZATCA's requirements. It also consolidates your sales and purchases into a **ready return with the correct boxes filled in** and reminds you of filing dates. That takes you from registration to full compliance without manual calculation work or the risk of penalties. ## Frequently asked questions ### When is VAT registration mandatory? It is mandatory if your annual taxable supplies pass SAR 375,000, or if you expect them to within 12 months. Crossing the threshold without registering exposes you to penalties. ### What is the voluntary registration threshold? Voluntary registration is available if your taxable supplies or taxable expenses exceed SAR 187,500. It is useful for an early-stage business that wants to recover the input tax it pays. ### What documents are required to register? You need a valid commercial registration, the IBAN of the company's bank account, contact and business activity details, and an estimate of taxable revenue and expenses, along with an active account on the ZATCA portal. ### What is the tax registration number and how many digits does it have? The tax registration number (TRN) is a 15-digit identifier issued by the Authority after registration, and it must appear on every tax invoice the business issues. ### Do exempt supplies count toward the registration threshold? No. The registration threshold is calculated on taxable supplies only (standard-rated at 15% and zero-rated); exempt supplies are not included. ### What should I do immediately after registering? Start by issuing compliant tax invoices that carry your tax registration number, apply e-invoicing in line with the Authority's requirements, and file your VAT return at the end of each period and pay what is due on time. --- ## About the publisher **Snad (سند)** — a private Saudi software company based in Riyadh, founded 2025. Legal form: Sole proprietorship. Commercial registration: 7038154642 VAT number: 310959226500003 Only official domain: snad.io > Snad is a private commercial business-management platform. It is not a > government body, not a bank, and not a government services portal, and it > is not affiliated with any government entity. Any site or app with a > similar name is unrelated to Snad.