Dubai and the UAE have one of the largest concentrations of Indian-owned businesses in the world. From trading companies in Deira to manufacturing units in Jebel Ali, Indian entrepreneurs have built significant enterprises across the Emirates. And many of them rely on Indian accountants — specifically Tally specialists — for their bookkeeping.
This is not just a legacy habit. There are very real, practical reasons why UAE businesses choose Indian accountants for their Tally bookkeeping — and this guide explains all of them.
Why UAE Businesses Use Tally
Tally is not just an Indian software — it has a dedicated UAE edition with VAT support that has been in use since the introduction of UAE VAT in 2018. Many UAE businesses with Indian ownership, Indian staff, or significant India–UAE trade operations use Tally because:
- Their Indian accountants already know it
- It handles both UAE VAT and Indian GST in a single familiar platform
- It manages multi-currency transactions (AED, INR, USD) natively
- The ecosystem of Tally specialists in India is unmatched globally
- The cost of Tally is a fraction of competing UAE accounting software
The Cost Advantage: UAE vs India
Let's look at what bookkeeping actually costs in Dubai compared to outsourcing to India.
| Option | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Part-time accountant in Dubai | AED 3,000–6,000/month | Plus visa, insurance, equipment |
| Full-time accountant in Dubai | AED 5,000–12,000/month | Plus all employment costs |
| UAE accounting firm | AED 2,000–8,000/month | Depending on scope |
| Indian Tally outsourcing (AutoTally) | AED 250–500/month | Full-service, remote delivery |
The cost difference is 80–95%. For a small to mid-size UAE business, outsourcing bookkeeping to India saves AED 30,000–100,000 per year — without any sacrifice in quality.
What Indian Accountants Handle for UAE Businesses
Tally Data Entry
All purchase invoices, sales invoices, expense entries, and bank transactions entered in Tally. Indian specialists are fast, accurate, and trained to handle multi-currency transactions common in UAE trading businesses.
UAE VAT Accounting
UAE VAT (introduced January 2018 at 5%) is handled in Tally UAE edition. This includes VAT-compliant invoicing, input VAT tracking, and VAT 201 return preparation. Indian Tally specialists familiar with UAE VAT regulations handle this with the same expertise as GST in India.
Bank Reconciliation
UAE businesses typically operate with AED, USD, and sometimes INR accounts. Bank reconciliation across multiple currencies is handled in Tally with automatic exchange rate entries and revaluation adjustments.
Payroll
UAE payroll processing including WPS (Wage Protection System) compliance, gratuity calculations, leave encashment, and multi-nationality salary processing. The WPS file for bank submission is prepared as part of the service.
Financial Reporting
Monthly P&L, Balance Sheet, cash flow statements, and custom MIS reports formatted for UAE business management requirements.
How the Remote Workflow Works
The process for a UAE business outsourcing to an Indian Tally service is almost identical to the process for an Indian business:
- NDA signed — before any documents are shared
- Onboarding call — the Indian specialist learns your Tally setup, chart of accounts, UAE VAT configuration, and any specific workflows
- Documents shared — via WhatsApp, encrypted portal, or Google Drive. Most UAE clients photograph or scan invoices and send via WhatsApp
- Processing — entries made in Tally on the Indian team's machines, quality-checked, and delivered
- Delivery — completed Tally data (as a company backup or XML export) delivered within 5–7 business days
- Sync — the UAE business restores the backup or imports the data into their own Tally installation
The entire process is remote. No physical presence is needed in UAE or India. The time zone difference (UAE is GST+4, India is IST+5:30 — only 1.5 hours apart) means real-time communication is easy during normal business hours.
UAE VAT vs Indian GST: Key Differences in Tally
| Aspect | UAE VAT | Indian GST |
|---|---|---|
| Rate | 5% flat | 0%, 5%, 12%, 18%, 28% |
| Components | Single VAT | CGST + SGST or IGST |
| Registration threshold | AED 375,000 annual turnover | ₹20–40 lakh |
| Return filing | Quarterly VAT 201 | Monthly GSTR-1 + GSTR-3B |
| Tally edition | TallyPrime UAE | TallyPrime India |
| E-invoicing | Peppol-based (new) | IRN-based (mandatory above ₹5 cr) |
Indian accountants familiar with Indian GST adapt to UAE VAT quickly — the underlying accounting logic is the same, only the rate structure and filing format differ. Tally UAE edition handles all the compliance differences automatically.
Is It Legal? Data Privacy and Compliance
Yes — outsourcing bookkeeping to India is completely legal for UAE businesses. There is no UAE law requiring accounting work to be performed within the UAE. The key requirements are:
- Your books must comply with UAE VAT law and IFRS standards
- You must retain accounting records for 5 years (UAE Commercial Companies Law)
- Your VAT returns must be accurate and filed on time
Who does the work is entirely your business decision. Confidentiality is protected by NDA agreements signed before any data sharing begins.
What to Look For in an Indian Tally Service for UAE
- Experience with UAE VAT — specifically ask if they have UAE clients and understand the Tally UAE edition
- Multi-currency competence — AED/USD/INR handling and revaluation
- NDA as standard — before any documents are shared
- 256-bit encryption — for secure document transfer
- English communication — for UAE-based clients and their international operations
- Flexible invoicing — ability to bill in AED, USD, or INR
AutoTally for UAE Businesses
AutoTally serves businesses across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. Our team handles UAE VAT-compliant bookkeeping, bank reconciliation in AED/USD/INR, WPS payroll, and monthly financial reports — all in Tally Prime.
Plans start from AED 250/month (₹5,000/month). No setup fee. No lock-in. Get a free quote today — response within a few hours.