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UAE Tax Services

UAE Corporate Tax Return Filing taxable income computed, return filed within nine months

Your UAE corporate tax return is due, together with any tax payable, within nine months of the end of your tax period. We start from your financial statements, make the adjustments the law requires, apply the reliefs and elections you are entitled to, and file the return on EmaraTax on time.

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UAE corporate tax returns

Accounting profit is only the starting point

A UAE corporate tax return is not a copy of your profit and loss. Taxable income starts from accounting profit prepared under IFRS, then adjusts for exempt income, disallowed expenses, interest limits, related party pricing and reliefs. Each adjustment needs a basis and records to support it.

Corporate tax returns are filed on EmaraTax within nine months of the end of each tax period, and any tax due is paid by the same date. For a business with a 31 December year-end, that means 30 September of the following year. The return reports accounting income and the adjustments to arrive at taxable income, tax at 0% on the first AED 375,000 and 9% above it for most businesses, and elections such as Small Business Relief or Qualifying Free Zone Person treatment.

Common adjustments include exempt income such as qualifying dividends and gains under the participation exemption, the 50% disallowance of client entertainment expenses, limits on net interest expense where it exceeds AED 12 million and 30% of adjusted EBITDA, non-deductible items such as fines and certain donations, and transfer pricing adjustments to bring related party transactions to arm's length. Larger businesses, Qualifying Free Zone Persons and tax groups must also prepare audited financial statements under Ministerial Decision No. 84 of 2025, and businesses with significant related party dealings may need to file a transfer pricing disclosure with the return.

Late filing attracts a penalty of AED 500 for each month or part month during the first twelve months, rising after that, and late payment carries further charges, so we plan the return well before the deadline. Where tax losses arise, we record them so they can be carried forward against future profits within the limits of the law, and where your first return relates to a long or short first period, we confirm the correct dates with the FTA records.

Return filing follows corporate tax registration and is supported by year-round corporate tax compliance. Small businesses claiming relief should also see small business tax support, and groups with Pakistani operations can use our international tax team.

We prepare the tax computation alongside the accounts, so every adjustment in the return can be traced to a figure in the books.
What's included

What our UAE corporate tax return service covers

A fixed fee per return, agreed after we review your accounts.

Financial statements review

IFRS accounts checked as the starting point.

Tax computation

Accounting profit adjusted to taxable income.

Exempt income

Participation exemption and other exclusions.

Disallowed expenses

Entertainment, fines and other limits applied.

Interest limitation

Net interest tested against the rules.

Transfer pricing

Related party transactions and disclosure.

Reliefs and elections

Small Business Relief and free zone status.

EmaraTax filing

Return filed and payment scheduled.

Risks we prevent

UAE corporate tax return mistakes

These errors lead to penalties, reassessments or lost reliefs.

01

Filing late

Penalties of AED 500 a month start the month after the deadline.

We file early.
02

Copying profit straight across

Returns without required adjustments overstate or understate tax.

We compute properly.
03

Full entertainment deduction

Only 50% of client entertainment is deductible.

We apply limits.
04

Relief not elected

Small Business Relief must be elected in the return.

We elect it.
05

Related parties ignored

Non-arm's length dealings can be adjusted by the FTA.

We review pricing.
06

No audited accounts when required

Some businesses must file on audited statements.

We flag it early.
How we work

How we file your return

Planned backwards from the nine-month deadline.

Free

Review

We check your registration, year-end and accounts.

Before work starts

Fixed fee

Agreed per return.

After year-end

Compute

Adjustments, reliefs and tax calculated.

Review

Approve

Computation reviewed with you.

By the deadline

File and pay

Return filed on EmaraTax.

Who we work with

Corporate tax returns for

Mainland companies

Standard returns at 0% and 9%.

Free zone entities

Qualifying Free Zone Person returns.

Small businesses

Returns electing Small Business Relief.

Freelancers and individuals

Natural persons above the threshold.

Groups

Related party and group considerations.

Pakistan-linked businesses

UAE entities with Pakistani owners or affiliates.

Why Finvocates

Why file with Finvocates

Accounts and tax prepared together by qualified professionals.

QuickBooksXeroTally ERPSAPOracle

IFRS and tax together

Computation tied to the financial statements.

Qualified professionals

ACCA and ICAP Chartered Accountant qualifications.

Cross-border expertise

UAE and Pakistan tax considered together.

Deadline planning

Returns filed well before nine months.

24/7 phone and WhatsApp

Easy contact from either country.

Clear fixed fees

Agreed per return.

FAQs

UAE corporate tax return questions we hear most

Have a question that is not here? Send it to us on WhatsApp and we will reply the same day.

When is the UAE corporate tax return due?
Within nine months of the end of the tax period, together with any tax payable. For a 31 December year-end, the deadline is 30 September of the following year.
What is the UAE corporate tax rate?
For most businesses, 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% on taxable income above that. Qualifying Free Zone Persons may apply 0% to qualifying income.
Do I need audited financial statements?
Under Ministerial Decision No. 84 of 2025, audited statements are required for businesses with revenue above AED 50 million, Qualifying Free Zone Persons and tax groups. Others prepare financial statements under IFRS.
Is entertainment fully deductible?
No. Only 50% of client entertainment expenses is deductible for UAE corporate tax.
What is the late filing penalty?
AED 500 for each month or part month during the first twelve months after the deadline, increasing after that, plus charges on late payment.
How do I claim Small Business Relief?
Eligible resident persons with revenue of up to AED 3 million elect it in the return, for tax periods ending on or before 31 December 2026.
Can losses be carried forward?
Yes, tax losses can generally be carried forward against future taxable income, subject to the limits and conditions in the law.
How much does a UAE corporate tax return cost?
We charge a fixed fee per return, based on the complexity of the business. Your first consultation is free.

File your UAE corporate tax return on time

Send us your year-end and latest financial statements. We will confirm your deadline and quote a fixed fee.

Book your free consultation

This page is general information about our services, not tax, legal or financial advice for your specific situation. Laws, rates and deadlines change with each Finance Act and official notification.