Accounting & Tax

The UAE maintains one of the most business-friendly tax environments in the world. There is no personal income tax, no capital gains tax and no tax on dividends. Corporate tax at 9% applies only to profits exceeding 375,000 AED annually — businesses earning below that threshold remain at 0%. VAT, introduced in 2018, stands at a flat 5% and applies to most goods and services.

Navigating these rules correctly — especially as an expat or foreign-owned company — requires proper registration, timely filings, and awareness of treaty obligations in your home country.

We set up and maintain your financial infrastructure from the ground up: chart of accounts, transaction categorisation, reconciliation, and monthly/quarterly management reports. Whether you run a Free Zone entity or a Mainland LLC, we ensure your books are audit-ready at all times.

• Bookkeeping in line with IFRS
• Chart of accounts setup and ongoing transaction bookkeeping
• Bank reconciliation and payables/receivables management
• Financial statements: P&L, balance sheet and cash flow
• Monthly and quarterly management reports
• Management accounting and internal analytics set-up
• Financial reporting infrastructure for new entities
• Cloud accounting systems — Xero, QuickBooks and others

Businesses with taxable turnover exceeding 375,000 AED in 12 months must register for VAT with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA). Voluntary registration is available from 187,500 AED. We handle the registration process and file quarterly VAT returns on your behalf, including refund claims where applicable.

• Mandatory and voluntary VAT registration with the FTA
• Quarterly VAT return preparation and submission
• Input VAT reclaim and refund management
• VAT compliance reviews and error correction

UAE Corporate Tax came into effect for financial years starting on or after 1 June 2023. The standard rate is 9% on net profits above 375,000 AED. Free Zone entities may qualify for a 0% rate on qualifying income, subject to specific conditions. We ensure your entity is correctly registered and that you are taking advantage of every available exemption.

• Corporate Tax registration with the FTA
• Tax calculation, annual Corporate Tax return preparation and filing
• Transfer pricing documentation for related-party transactions
• Qualifying Free Zone income analysis

Managing payroll in the UAE involves Wage Protection System (WPS) compliance, annual leave accruals, gratuity calculations, and timely reporting to the Ministry of Human Resources (MOHRE). We handle the full payroll cycle so you can focus on running your business.

• Monthly payroll calculation and WPS-compliant salary transfer files
• WPS registration and ongoing compliance
• Leave management: annual, sick, maternity/paternity tracking and compensation
• End-of-service gratuity calculations and provisions
• MOHRE compliance and mandatory employer reporting
• New employee onboarding and off-boarding processing

Tax Residency Certificates (TRC) — also known as Tax Domicile Certificates — are issued by the UAE Ministry of Finance and allow individuals and companies to benefit from the UAE's network of double taxation treaties. We prepare and submit the application, including all supporting documentation.

• TRC applications for individuals (minimum 183 days UAE residency required)
• TRC applications for companies (minimum 1 year of operation required)
• Supporting document preparation and notarisation coordination

Relocating a business or individual to the UAE does not automatically terminate tax obligations in the home country. CFC (Controlled Foreign Company) rules, exit taxes, and notification requirements vary significantly by jurisdiction. We provide written advisory memos and coordinate with local tax counsel in your home country when needed.

• CFC notification filings (Russia, CIS, EU jurisdictions) — 1,000 AED
• Double taxation treaty analysis and planning
• International tax planning for owners of structures across several jurisdictions
• Written tax advisory memos with documented reasoning — from 2,000 AED
• Representation before the UAE Federal Tax Authority (FTA)
• Deoffshorisation and substance planning
• Counterparty verification for high-value contracts and compliance advisory

Beyond VAT and Corporate Tax, operating in the UAE may require additional government registrations depending on your business activities.

• Dubai Municipality registration — from $550
• UAE Customs registration for import/export operations — from $550
• Excise tax registration (where required)