Timely and accurate filing of corporate tax returns ensures compliance, prevents penalties, and maintains good standing with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA). This article explains the filing requirements, including necessary documentation, filing periods, and obligations for taxable persons, exempt entities, and tax groups. Non-compliance with corporate tax filing requirements may result in penalties, audits, or reputational risks. Thus, businesses are advised to seek the expert services of top Tax Consultants in UAE to timely meet filing requirements and ensure compliance with corporate tax regulations.
According to the UAE Corporate Tax Law, all taxable persons are required to file a corporate tax return for each tax period. The return must be filed no later than nine months after the end of the relevant financial year.
For example:
This applies to free zone companies, partnerships, and tax groups. As the filing window is fixed, businesses are encouraged to prepare their financial statements timely.
According to the UAE Corporate Tax Law, all taxable persons are required to file a corporate tax return for each tax period. The return must be filed no later than nine months after the end of the relevant financial year.
For example:
This applies to free zone companies, partnerships, and tax groups. As the filing window is fixed, businesses are encouraged to prepare their financial statements timely.
Documents Required for Corporate Tax Registration in UAE
Documents required for corporate tax registration in the UAE include:
In addition to that, companies shall be prepared to submit supporting records, including audited financial statements, bank statements, contracts, and other related financial information, if so, requested by the FTA.
Tip: The FTA can request additional documentation at any time. Maintaining organized accounting records is essential to avoid disputes and penalties.
Not all entities are subject to corporate tax in the UAE. Exempt persons such as government entities, public benefit organizations, and pension funds are exempted by law. However, the FTA may nonetheless request such persons to furnish a declaration to confirm their exempt status.
For unincorporated partnerships that have not made a request to be treated as individual taxable persons, the FTA requires that the authorized partner make the declaration on behalf of the partnership. This eases compliance complexity by placing the responsibility in the hands of one representative, rather than requiring all partners to submit separately.
Where two or more companies are contained in a tax group, the law treats them as a single taxable person. In such cases:
In addition to the documents required for corporate tax registration in UAE, the FTA can request additional records to corroborate. They can include:
Businesses must keep proper records for at least seven years.
Failure to comply with the requirement for filing corporate tax returns can lead to heavy penalties and fines. Some of the most prevalent reasons for non-compliance are:
| Entity Type | Filing Requirement | Responsible Person | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Companies (LLCs, PSCs, etc.) | Full corporate tax return filing within 9 months of the tax period end. | The company’s authorized signatory or management. | Must provide all supporting financial statements, TRN, and taxable income details. |
| Exempt Persons | May only need to file a declaration (if requested by FTA). | Entity’s authorized representative. | Examples: government entities, public benefit organizations, pension funds. |
| Unincorporated Partnerships | Authorized partner files a declaration on behalf of all partners. | Authorized partner (appointed by the partnership). | Treated differently unless registered as a separate taxable person. |
| Tax Groups | Single consolidated corporate tax return covering all group members. | Parent company of the group. | The parent company is legally responsible for calculating taxable income and filing returns. |
To seamlessly meet corporate tax requirements and ensure compliance with the corporate tax law, businesses are advised to seek the expert services of premier Tax Consultants in the UAE. Thus, contact us today, and we shall be glad to assist you.