Topic Summary
Register on EmaraTax Before the Deadline
Every UAE company, including free zone firms and sole establishments, must register at tax.gov.ae. Missing the registration deadline triggers a fixed AED 10,000 penalty with no exceptions.
Know the 9% Rate and AED 375,000 Threshold
The UAE corporate tax rate is 9% on net taxable income above AED 375,000, while income below that threshold is taxed at 0%. A firm earning AED 600,000 net profit pays only AED 20,250, not AED 54,000 on the full amount.
Free Zone Companies Must Still File Returns
The 0% rate for qualifying free zone firms is not automatic — companies must register, file annually, and maintain audited accounts to keep it. Failing any of the FTA's qualifying conditions means the standard 9% rate applies to all income for that period.
Meet the Free Zone Substance Requirements
To qualify for the 0% rate, a free zone company must have real staff, activity, and spending within the zone, and keep non-qualifying income below 5% of total revenue or AED 5 million, whichever is lower. Any election to pay the standard rate or breach of these conditions removes the 0% benefit entirely.
File Within 9 Months of Your Financial Year End
Corporate tax returns must be submitted within 9 months of the end of your financial year — for example, a company with a 31 December 2024 year end must file by 30 September 2025. Late payment adds 14% annual interest on top of any outstanding tax owed.
Get Accounts Audited Before You File
The FTA requires audited financial statements from free zone companies, and unaudited figures will not be accepted. Audited records must also be kept for at least 7 years in case of an FTA audit.
Notify the FTA If Your Business Status Changes
If your company's qualifying status changes mid-year — such as losing free zone substance or exceeding the de minimis income limit — you must inform the FTA promptly. Failing to report changes can result in penalties and reclassification of your tax liability.
In 2026, every company in the UAE must file a corporate tax return with the Federal Tax Authority. The UAE introduced a 9% rate in June 2023 under Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022. Missing a deadline costs at least AED 10,000 in late fees (Federal Tax Authority, 2023). Late payment adds 14% annual interest on what you owe. Free zone firms can pay 0%, but only if they file and prove it. Most business owners did not plan for this.
This guide covers who must register, how to file step by step, what free zone companies must do, and how to stay compliant without paying more than you owe.
What Is Dubai Corporate Tax Filing and Why It Matters
Dubai corporate tax filing is the process of registering with the Federal Tax Authority, preparing annual financial accounts, and submitting a tax return showing your taxable income. Every UAE company must do this. The standard rate is 9%. Free zone firms can pay 0% if they meet the FTA's qualifying conditions. For more detail, see our guide on free zone accounting and tax filing services. For more detail, see our guide on UAE corporate tax return amendment process.
Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 brought corporate tax into force for financial years starting on or after 1 June 2023. The Federal Tax Authority collects, audits, and enforces the tax.
Standard rate: 9% on net taxable income above AED 375,000. Income up to AED 375,000 is taxed at 0%, which gives small firms real breathing room.
A Dubai mainland consultancy earning AED 600,000 net profit pays 0% on the first AED 375,000 and 9% on the remaining AED 225,000. The bill is AED 20,250, not AED 54,000.
Who Must Register for Corporate Tax
Every UAE-incorporated company must register on EmaraTax at tax.gov.ae, including free zone companies. A one-person consulting firm must register even if its profit sits below AED 375,000. Registration happens once; filing happens every year after that. For more detail, see our guide on UAE corporate tax registration fees.
Entity types that must register:
UAE-incorporated companies, including free zone firms
Foreign companies with a permanent base in the UAE
Sole establishments and civil companies
Branches of foreign companies operating here
Miss the registration deadline and you face a fixed AED 10,000 penalty (Federal Tax Authority, 2023). If you want to start your business in Dubai, factor registration into your first-month checklist.
How Free Zone Companies Handle Corporate Tax
Free zone companies can pay 0% corporate tax on qualifying income if they meet the FTA's Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions. They must still register, file a return each year, and keep audited accounts. Failing any condition means the standard 9% rate applies to all income for that tax period.
The 0% rate is not automatic. Your company must satisfy every condition the FTA sets:
Real substance in the free zone: actual staff, activity, and spending
Income from qualifying activities set out by the FTA
No election made to pay the standard 9% rate
Accounts audited by an approved auditor each year
Non-qualifying income kept below the de minimis limit
The de minimis threshold is 5% of total revenue or AED 5 million, whichever is lower (Federal Tax Authority, 2023).
Free zone firms must also:
Register on EmaraTax before the FTA deadline, even at 0%
File an annual return within 9 months of your financial year end
Keep audited financial statements for at least 7 years
Tell the FTA if your status changes mid-year
A DSBH company with a financial year ending 31 December 2024 must file its first return by 30 September 2025. For banking and taxation services that cover these obligations, DSBH's support team can point you to approved professionals.
5 Steps to File Your Dubai Corporate Tax Return
File your return by following these steps within 9 months of your financial year end. Missing any step triggers a penalty.
Step 1, create your EmaraTax account: Log in or register at tax.gov.ae.
Step 2, confirm your tax period: Most firms use the calendar year or their trade license year.
Step 3, get your accounts audited: The FTA will not accept unaudited figures for free zone firms.
Step 4, calculate taxable income: Start with net accounting profit, then apply FTA-approved reliefs such as small business relief or group relief.
Step 5, submit and pay: File on EmaraTax, pay any tax owed by the deadline, and save your confirmation.
A mainland firm with AED 500,000 net profit applies the AED 375,000 threshold. It reports AED 125,000 taxable income and pays AED 11,250, not AED 45,000. Small Business Relief is available to firms with revenue under AED 3 million (Federal Tax Authority, 2023). Payment is due on the same day as the return: 9 months after your year end.
For hands-on help, the business support services at DSBH can connect you with FTA-registered agents who handle the process end to end.
Key Deadlines and Penalties You Need to Know
Corporate tax registration must happen before the FTA's published deadline for your license type. Filing is due 9 months after your financial year end. Late registration costs AED 10,000. Late filing adds further monthly penalties. Paying tax late adds 14% annual interest on the unpaid amount.
Financial Year End | Filing Deadline |
|---|---|
31 December | 30 September (following year) |
31 March | 31 December (same calendar year) |
30 June | 31 March (following year) |
The costs add up fast. Here is what the FTA charges:
Late registration: AED 10,000 fixed penalty
Late filing: AED 500 per month for the first 12 months, then AED 1,000 per month
Late payment: 14% per year on the unpaid tax amount
Incorrect return: up to AED 50,000 depending on the error
A firm that misses its filing deadline by 3 months and owes AED 20,000 in tax pays AED 1,500 in late-filing fees plus roughly AED 700 in late-payment interest. Register early, book your auditor by month 6, and file by month 8 (Federal Tax Authority, 2023).
What Good Corporate Tax Records Look Like
The FTA requires all UAE companies to keep financial records for at least 7 years. Records must support every line of your tax return. Poor records are the most common reason for FTA audit queries and penalty notices.
Records the FTA expects to see:
Sales invoices and purchase invoices for every deal
Bank statements for the full financial year
Payroll records and employment contracts
Asset registers for fixed items claimed as deductions
Intercompany agreements for related-party trades
Transfer pricing rules apply to related-party transactions above AED 40 million (Federal Tax Authority, 2023).
Free Zone vs Mainland Corporate Tax Obligations
Feature | Free Zone (DSBH) | Mainland (Dubai) |
|---|---|---|
Standard tax rate | 0% on qualifying income if QFZP conditions are met | 9% on net profit above AED 375,000 |
Must register with FTA | Yes, on EmaraTax before the FTA deadline | Yes, on EmaraTax before the FTA deadline |
Must file annual return | Yes, within 9 months of financial year end | Yes, within 9 months of financial year end |
Audited accounts required | Yes, mandatory to prove QFZP status | Recommended; required if FTA audits you |
Qualifying income check needed | Yes, every year to retain the 0% rate | No, 9% applies to all taxable profit above threshold |
Penalty for late filing | AED 500/month (first 12 months), then AED 1,000/month | AED 500/month (first 12 months), then AED 1,000/month |
Choosing an Auditor and a Tax Agent
Tax agent: FTA-registered tax agents can file on your behalf. Check the FTA register at tax.gov.ae before you hire anyone. A good agent spots reliefs you may have missed: small business relief, group relief, and exempt income.
Auditor: Auditors must be licensed by the relevant UAE authority. A startup with AED 2.8 million revenue qualifies for Small Business Relief, which sets taxable income to zero. An FTA-registered agent catches this; an unqualified bookkeeper often does not. The Small Business Relief threshold is AED 3 million in revenue (Federal Tax Authority, 2023).
Free Zone vs Mainland: Key Differences
Mainland companies pay 9% on net profit above AED 375,000. Free zone companies can pay 0% on qualifying income if they meet the FTA's Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions. Both must register and file annually.
Two firms each earn AED 800,000 net profit. The mainland firm pays AED 38,250 in tax. The qualifying free zone firm pays AED 0, but only if it files and proves its status.
The 0% rate can be lost for an entire tax year if:
Non-qualifying income exceeds 5% of revenue or AED 5 million
The firm fails the substance test: no real staff or activity in the zone
The standard rate election is made (irreversible for that period)
The firm does not file or keep audited accounts
A free zone firm that starts taking mainland UAE clients for more than 5% of revenue loses its 0% rate for the full tax year. Check your qualifying income split carefully (Federal Tax Authority, 2023).
Use the business setup cost calculator to work out your full compliance and formation costs before you commit to a structure.
Getting Professional Help with Dubai Corporate Tax Filing
Professional Dubai corporate tax filing services help you register on time, prepare compliant accounts, identify reliefs you qualify for, and submit an accurate return. Using an FTA-registered tax agent reduces your penalty risk and frees you to run your business.
A tax agent will:
Register your company on EmaraTax and keep your profile current
Review your financial accounts before the auditor signs off
Calculate taxable income and apply every relief you qualify for
File your return and pay any tax owed on your behalf
Respond to FTA queries and represent you in any audit
One DSBH client in the ICT sector missed Small Business Relief in their first self-filed return. An FTA-registered agent amended the return and recovered AED 18,000 in overpaid tax. Amended returns are allowed within 5 years of the original filing (Federal Tax Authority, 2023).
Build your compliance plan before year end:
Months 1 to 3: Confirm your financial year dates and book your auditor.
Months 4 to 6: Review income streams for qualifying vs non-qualifying split.
Months 7 to 8: Get audited accounts signed off and prepare the return.
Month 9: File and pay on EmaraTax before the deadline.
Dubai corporate tax filing is not optional. Every UAE company must register, file, and keep records, whether it pays 9% or 0%. Get your registration done, book an auditor early, and use an FTA-registered agent to protect the 0% rate your Dubai South Business Hub free zone company may qualify for. Talk to the DSBH team today about banking and taxation support.
References
Federal Tax Authority (tax.gov.ae)
Frequently Asked Questions
