QFZP entities require mandatory IFRS-compliant audited financial statements.

Corporate Tax return due 9 months after financial year-end (e.g. 31 Dec 2025 year-end → 30 Sept 2026 filing deadline).

Late filing penalty: fixed AED 10,000, plus 14% per annum uncapped late-payment charge on unpaid tax.

Business

UAE — Business: Accounting

UAE businesses must keep accurate books of accounts, financial statements, and supporting documents clearly reflecting income, expenses, and any claimed exemptions/deductions. Financial statements must follow IFRS or another accepted accounting standard. Audited IFRS-compliant financial statements are mandatory for Qualifying Free Zone Persons (QFZP); other businesses generally require audited accounts unless they qualify for simplified record-keeping under Small Business Relief. Every business subject to Corporate Tax must register with the FTA — without registration, a return cannot be filed. The corporate tax return is due 9 months after the financial year-end (e.g. a 31 December 2025 year-end return is due 30 September 2026); a fixed AED 10,000 penalty applies for late filing, plus a 14% per annum late-payment charge (uncapped) on unpaid tax.

VerifiedGovernment / official sourceFederal Tax Authority (FTA)Last reviewed: 2026-07-18

Key facts

Financial statements must follow IFRS or another accepted accounting standard.
QFZP entities require mandatory IFRS-compliant audited financial statements.
Corporate Tax return due 9 months after financial year-end (e.g. 31 Dec 2025 year-end → 30 Sept 2026 filing deadline).
Late filing penalty: fixed AED 10,000, plus 14% per annum uncapped late-payment charge on unpaid tax.

Steps

1. Register with the FTA — Mandatory before any Corporate Tax return can be filed.
2. Prepare IFRS-compliant financial statements — Audited accounts required for QFZP entities and most other businesses unless Small Business Relief applies.
3. File the corporate tax return — Due 9 months after the financial year-end, via the FTA's EmaraTax portal.

Timelines

Corporate tax return filing deadline: 9 months after financial year-end

Required documents

IFRS-compliant financial statements
FTA Corporate Tax registration

Common mistakes

Assuming Small Business Relief exempts the need for FTA registration — registration is still required regardless.
Missing the 9-month filing deadline, triggering the automatic AED 10,000 penalty plus accruing 14% annual interest.