VAT: Large Firms Must File July Returns by Aug 31

Large VAT-registered businesses in Saudi Arabia have until 31 August 2026 to submit their July 2026 value-added tax returns, with fines applying to late filers. The deadline applies to establishments whose annual supplies of goods and services exceed 40 million SAR and are therefore required to file monthly.

Under the current rules, monthly filers must submit each return by the last day of the month following the tax period. For the July 2026 period, that means the return and any tax due must be settled on or before 31 August 2026.

Fines for late filing and payment

Late submission of a VAT return carries a fine ranging from 5% to 25% of the tax that should have been declared, with the exact percentage depending on the length of the delay and any repeated non-compliance. Late payment of due VAT typically adds a further penalty of 5% for each month, or part of a month, that the amount remains outstanding. Failure to register for VAT on time carries a fixed penalty of 10,000 SAR.

Filing frequency is tied to turnover: businesses with annual supplies above 40 million SAR file monthly, while those with annual supplies of 40 million SAR or less file quarterly.

How to file

Returns can be prepared, submitted, and paid through the authority's online portal or its mobile application. Large businesses should confirm they are classified as monthly filers, prepare their July 2026 figures — including taxable and exempt supplies, input tax, and output tax — then complete and submit the July return before the deadline and pay any tax due to avoid additional penalties.

For the many companies operating across Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, meeting the deadline is a straightforward but important step in staying compliant and avoiding avoidable costs.

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