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Corporate Tax — Dubai, UAE

Corporate Tax Registration UAE

Mandatory for all UAE businesses — mainland and free zone. Register within 90 days of your licence issue date to avoid the AED 10,000 FTA penalty. Get your CT TRN in 1 to 7 working days for a one-time fee of AED 150.

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Service Fee AED 150 One-time fee, no hidden charges

1-7 DaysTRN Turnaround

FreeConsultation

AllUAE Business Types

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Overview

What Is UAE Corporate Tax?

The UAE introduced a federal Corporate Tax (CT) regime effective 1 June 2023 under Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022. It is administered by the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) and applies to all businesses and individuals conducting business activities in the UAE.

Corporate Tax registration is mandatory for all UAE businesses — regardless of profit level, business size, or whether you are a mainland or free zone company. Even businesses with zero taxable income must register and file an annual return.

UAE Corporate Tax Rates

Profits Up to AED 375,000

Taxable income up to AED 375,000 per year is taxed at 0%. This benefits small businesses, startups, and sole establishments significantly.

Profits Above AED 375,000

Taxable income exceeding AED 375,000 per year is taxed at 9%. This is one of the lowest corporate tax rates globally and applies to most mainland businesses.

Free Zone Qualifying Income

Businesses in designated free zones may benefit from a 0% rate on qualifying income, provided they meet the FTA criteria and maintain adequate substance in the UAE.

Who Must Register

Who Needs to Register for Corporate Tax in the UAE?

Corporate tax registration is mandatory for all of the following — there are no exemptions from the registration requirement itself.

UAE Mainland Companies

All LLCs, sole establishments, civil companies, and other mainland entities must register for corporate tax regardless of profit or turnover.

Free Zone Companies

All free zone businesses must register for corporate tax. Those with qualifying income in designated free zones may benefit from a 0% rate but must still register and file.

Individuals in Business

UAE residents conducting business activities — including freelancers with a professional licence — are subject to corporate tax and must register.

Foreign Companies with UAE Presence

Foreign businesses with a permanent establishment in the UAE, or those earning UAE-sourced income, must register for UAE corporate tax.

⚠ Registration Deadline: The FTA sets registration deadlines based on your licence date and financial year. Failure to register on time results in FTA penalties. Contact us immediately if you have not yet registered — we can submit your application the same day.

What You Get

What Our Corporate Tax Registration Service Includes

Our AED 150 one-time fee covers the complete corporate tax registration process. You do not need to interact with the FTA or EmaraTax portal at any stage.

Business structure reviewWe confirm your entity type and the correct registration pathway for your business

EmaraTax account setupWe create or access your FTA EmaraTax account to complete the registration

Full CT registration applicationWe prepare and submit the complete corporate tax registration form accurately on your behalf

Corporate Tax TRN certificateWe obtain your CT Tax Registration Number and share the certificate with you directly

Registration deadline confirmationWe confirm your registration deadline based on your licence issue date and advise on your first CT filing period

Free post-registration consultationWe brief you on your ongoing corporate tax obligations and what to prepare for your first return

What to Prepare

Documents Required for Corporate Tax Registration UAE

Share these via WhatsApp or email and we handle the rest. The FTA takes your business address from your trade licence so a tenancy contract is not required in most cases.

Valid UAE Trade Licence

Passport Copies of All Owners

Emirates ID of UAE-Resident Owners

Memorandum of Association (MOA)

Business Activity Details

Bank Account Details (IBAN) Optional

The Process

How Corporate Tax Registration Works — Step by Step

From first contact to CT TRN in your inbox — here is exactly what happens when you work with us.

Free Consultation

We review your entity type and confirm your registration requirements and deadline. Takes about 15 minutes via WhatsApp.

Document Collection

We send a clear checklist. You share documents via WhatsApp or email. We review everything before submission.

FTA Submission

Our team completes and submits your corporate tax registration on the EmaraTax portal accurately and on the same day.

CT TRN Issued

The FTA issues your Corporate Tax Registration Number within 1 to 7 working days. We send it directly to you.

After Registration

What to Do After Corporate Tax Registration in UAE

Once you receive your CT TRN, you have ongoing obligations under UAE corporate tax law. Here is what you need to prepare for.

📅

File Your Annual CT Return

Your corporate tax return must be filed within 9 months of your financial year end. For a December year-end, the deadline is 30 September. Late filing attracts penalties starting from AED 500 per month.

💰

Pay Corporate Tax Due

Any corporate tax payable is due at the same time as your return — within 9 months of your financial year end. Late payment attracts penalties and interest charges from the FTA.

📒

Maintain Financial Records

You must maintain proper financial records and accounts that support your CT return. Records must be kept for a minimum of 7 years. Accurate bookkeeping is essential for correct CT filing.

📊

Prepare Financial Statements

Your annual CT return must be supported by financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS or IFRS for SMEs. Our accounting team can prepare these for you alongside your bookkeeping.

🏖️

Free Zone Substance Requirements

If you are a free zone company claiming the 0% qualifying income rate, you must maintain adequate economic substance in the UAE and ensure your income qualifies under FTA criteria.

🔔

Notify the FTA of Changes

Any changes to your business — ownership, address, financial year, or business activity — must be updated on your EmaraTax profile. We can assist with any amendments required.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions — Corporate Tax Registration UAE

Is corporate tax registration mandatory for all UAE businesses?+

Yes. All UAE businesses — mainland and free zone — must register for corporate tax with the FTA. This applies regardless of profit level, business size, or turnover. Even businesses with zero taxable income must register and file an annual nil return.

What is the corporate tax rate in the UAE?+

The standard UAE corporate tax rate is 9% on taxable profits exceeding AED 375,000 per year. Profits up to AED 375,000 are taxed at 0%. Businesses in designated free zones with qualifying income may also benefit from a 0% rate, subject to FTA criteria.

When did UAE corporate tax come into effect?+

UAE corporate tax became effective from 1 June 2023 under Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022. All businesses with a financial year starting on or after this date are subject to corporate tax registration and filing requirements.

Do free zone companies need to register for corporate tax?+

Yes. All free zone companies must register for corporate tax. However, businesses in designated free zones with qualifying income may benefit from a 0% tax rate, provided they meet the substance requirements and FTA conditions. They must still register and file annually.

What is the deadline for corporate tax registration?+

Under FTA Decision No. 3 of 2024, businesses incorporated on or after 1 March 2024 must register for Corporate Tax within 3 months of their licence issue date. Failure to register on time results in an administrative penalty of AED 10,000. Late filing of your CT return attracts a further AED 500 per month for the first 12 months, rising to AED 1,000 per month from the 13th month onwards.

Is corporate tax registration the same as VAT registration?+

No. They are completely separate registrations with different Tax Registration Numbers (TRNs). You need to register for both independently. See our VAT registration service for details on that process.

What happens after I receive my Corporate Tax TRN?+

Once registered, you must file an annual corporate tax return within 9 months of your financial year end. You will also need to pay any corporate tax due at the same time. Our corporate tax filing service handles your return preparation and submission.

Can freelancers and sole establishments register for corporate tax?+

Yes. Individuals conducting business activities in the UAE — including those with professional licences and freelancers — are subject to UAE corporate tax and must register. Contact us and we will confirm your specific requirements.

What documents do I need for corporate tax registration in the UAE?+

You need your valid UAE trade licence, passport copies of all owners, Emirates ID for UAE-resident owners, Memorandum of Association (MOA), and your business activity details. Bank account details are optional. The FTA accepts the address from your trade licence so a tenancy contract is not usually required.

How long does corporate tax registration take in the UAE?+

Once we receive your documents, we submit the registration on the same day. The FTA typically issues your Corporate Tax TRN within 1 to 7 working days. We send it directly to you as soon as it arrives.

When is the corporate tax return filing deadline in the UAE?+

Your annual corporate tax return must be filed within 9 months of your financial year end. For example, if your financial year ends on 31 December, your CT return deadline is 30 September of the following year. Corporate tax payment is also due at the same time as your return.

Can Finhub Middle East handle corporate tax registration for businesses outside Dubai?+

Yes. We handle corporate tax registration for businesses across all UAE emirates — Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Ajman, and Umm Al Quwain — as well as for free zone companies and international businesses with UAE operations. Everything is handled remotely via WhatsApp and email from our Karama office in Dubai.

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Register for Corporate Tax Today — AED 150

Licensed consultants. CT TRN in 1 to 7 working days. No hidden charges. Free consultation included.