FTA Corporate Tax Registration UAE

UAE Federal Tax Authority Compliance

FTA Corporate Tax Registration in the UAE

Navigate UAE's corporate tax requirements with expert assistance. Ensure compliance with Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 and avoid penalties with professional FTA registration support.

Resident Juridical Persons
Non-Resident Entities
Natural Persons
Free Zone Entities

FTA Corporate Tax Registration in the UAE – What It Means for Your Business

The United Arab Emirates has implemented federal corporate tax as one of the critical steps to its tax framework overhaul and alignment with international standards. This unprecedented legislation applies to those businesses that are residents in the UAE as well as those that are not. In case your company satisfies the stipulated criteria according to Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022, then it is your legal obligation to be registered with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) so that you can be issued with a Corporate Tax Registration Number and be able to perform all the related duties.

Firstly, you need to know the registration requirements and do the registration properly, without any errors. The introduction of UAE Corporate Tax is in line with the principle of transparency and compliance. For companies, it means taking the initiative in the matter of their tax status, getting all the paperwork done, and filing their application with FTA before the cutoff. By following these new regulations, your business will not only remain compliant but also be free of any legal or financial troubles and at the same time be a part of UAE's transitioning economy.

Who Needs to Register

If your company has been defined by the law in the UAE as a "taxable person", then you need to register for corporate tax. Some main groups are:

Resident Juridical Persons

  • Companies incorporated or established in the UAE
  • Operating under a commercial license
  • Free-zone entities (if they meet the conditions of compliance)

Non-Resident Juridical Persons

  • Had a permanent establishment (PE) in the UAE
  • Doing business regularly or continuously in the country

Natural Persons

  • Engaged in business or business activities
  • Turnover exceeds AED 1 million (for residents)
  • Meet the taxable threshold for non-residents

However, a few cases are excluded. The extraction of natural resources, for instance, is still subject to Emirate-level taxation following the old laws; also, under certain conditions, dividends, capital gains, or interest may be exempt; free-zone businesses that meet all the regulatory requirements may continue to receive incentives if they comply.

How to Register: Step-by-Step

Registration takes place through the EmaraTax platform (the FTA digital service portal). The main steps are:

Corporate Tax Registration Process

Access EmaraTax Platform

Use the FTA credentials to create/log in to EmaraTax, or use UAE PASS.

Navigate to Registration

In your dashboard either locate the "Taxable Person" or create a new one.

Accept Terms and Declarations

Proceed with Corporate Tax Registration as the first step; after reading the instructions, accept any declarations.

Complete Required Information

Provide information in the fields as below:

  • Type of entity (company, establishment, etc.)
  • Trade license / license details
  • Business activities
  • Ownership (the person who owns ≥25%)
  • Are there any branches?
  • Authorized signatory details
  • Contact information, address(es)

Submit Supporting Documents

Submit documents such as the license, the passport or Emirates ID of the signatory, proof of authorization, etc.

Review and Submit

Review & Declaration point - check if any corrections should be made here, then "Submit".

Await Processing

The moment the reference number is generated, the FTA will start their process. They may come back for more information. A corporate tax registration number will be sent to you once your application has been approved.

Risks of Non-Compliance

Consequences of Missing Registration Deadlines

Failure to register or late registration may lead to:

  • Penalties (such as ten thousand dirhams in certain cases)
  • Maybe interest or fines due to late filing or late payment of taxes
  • Legal or administrative risks if checked by the authorities or if your company is discovered to be working illegally without paying taxes
  • Possible interruptions in business, at the bank, in the process of getting a license, signing contracts or working with government agencies

How UID Group Could Be Helpful

We at UID Group understand that the whole procedure of corporate tax registration, deadlines, document gathering, and compliance could become a real maze—especially in the case of businesses new to the UAE, branches, free-zone entities, or companies with multiple licences. The following is the way we manage to provide all-embracing support to you:

Assessment and Planning

We check if your company has the need to register, we find out the deadlines for the case, and we discover the possible instances of exemptions or incentives.

Document Collection & Preparation

We assist you to collect all the required documents, check the details of the license and the ownership, make sure that the signatory authorization is correct.

Application Filing

We take care of the filing through the EmaraTax portal on your behalf. Then, we keep the progress check, we answer the FTA questions.

Compliance and Ongoing Support

After the registration is completed, UID can assist in preparing and filing corporate tax returns, managing record-keeping tasks.

Advisory on Free Zone

UID is able to provide the answer to the question of whether your free-zone entity is eligible for incentives.

Cross Border Situations

Support for non-resident entity with nexus or PE, and what obligations are in those cases.

Timeline & What You Should Do Now

Immediate Action Steps

Firstly, look at the licensing date and the entity formation date: these two will decide your registration time limit according to Decision No. 3, 2024.

Identify the business legal framework of your company: Is it a corporation, branch, free-zone unit, foreign resident, natural person?

Collect up-to-date information on ownership & authorized signatories together with financial records if necessary.

Register on EmaraTax (if not already) and get ready with your application.

Submit in advance of the deadline: Even if you don't expect to make money at the beginning, a timely registration will avoid you paying fines and be your business fully compliant.

Get help from a professional: The collaboration with a trustworthy consultant like UID Group will not only accelerate your process, lower the possibility of errors.

Here Are Some Frequently Asked Questions

Do all businesses need to register even if they expect low profits?
Yes, if they fall under the specified conditions (entity type, license, turnover, etc.). A few exceptions are there but voluntary registration or properly applying for exemptions is the most important.
What if my business is a free-zone entity?
Maybe you still have to register, but most free-zone businesses get a lot of advantages if they are in line with the law and the regulations. UID can help you find out if your free zone gives you better or different terms.
How long does the registration process take?
The account setup, for instance, is immediate for some elements while the FTA may take 20 business days to process a completed application. If the FTA needs more information, then extra time will be required.
What records do I need to keep?
Financial statements, license documents, ownership and signatory records, business activity records, and any documents revealing that you have followed the laws are the ones you must keep. The FTA may call for these.

Ready to Register for Corporate Tax?

Don't risk penalties or compliance issues. Get expert help with your FTA Corporate Tax registration through our WhatsApp service.

+971 600 500 088
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