UAE Corporate Tax registration: what new companies need to know

UAE Corporate Tax applies to financial years starting on or after 1 June 2023. The standard rate is 9% on taxable income above AED 375,000, with 0% on income up to that amount.

Registration applies to almost every company

Mainland and free zone companies must register on the Federal Tax Authority's EmaraTax portal and obtain a Corporate Tax registration number. Free zone companies that meet the qualifying conditions may pay 0% on qualifying income, but they still need to register and file. A small number of exempt categories, such as government entities, follow separate rules.

Deadlines for new companies

Companies incorporated from March 2024 onward generally have three months from the date of incorporation to register. Companies incorporated earlier were given deadlines based on the month of their licence, so check the FTA's schedule if that applies to you. Missing a deadline can lead to a penalty of AED 10,000, so register as soon as the licence is issued.

Keep records from day one

Corporate Tax returns are filed within nine months of the end of the financial year. Clean monthly bookkeeping makes the return straightforward and supports any relief you claim.

This article is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and fees change, so contact us to confirm the requirements for your business.