Nexus Wise Consultancy

Tax Services

Corporate Tax in the UAE

End-to-end UAE Corporate Tax support — from registration and impact assessment to return filing and business restructuring — handled by an FTA-registered Tax Agent.

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The UAE applies a federal Corporate Tax on business profits at a standard rate of 9%, with a 0% band on taxable income up to AED 375,000. Every taxable person must register with the Federal Tax Authority, file an annual return, and keep compliant records — even in loss-making or zero-tax years.

Nexus Wise helps you determine your obligations, register on time, structure your affairs efficiently, and file accurately — reducing the risk of penalties while keeping your business focused on growth.

Corporate Tax at a glance

0%
Up to AED 375k
Taxable profit
0%
Qualifying Free Zone Persons
If conditions are met
9%
Above AED 375k
Standard rate
9 mo
Filing window
After period end

Headline rates — we confirm the specifics for your structure.

What we offer

Corporate Tax Advisory

Practical guidance on how Corporate Tax applies to your structure, free-zone status, exemptions and reliefs.

Corporate Tax Registration

Timely FTA registration and Tax Registration Number issuance, with all documentation prepared correctly.

Corporate Tax Return Filing

Accurate preparation and submission of your annual Corporate Tax return within FTA deadlines.

Corporate Tax Deregistration

Clean deregistration when a business ceases, restructures, or no longer meets the criteria.

Business Restructuring for Corporate Tax

Tax grouping and reorganisation to align your business with the Corporate Tax regime efficiently.

Who Corporate Tax applies to

If you hold a UAE trade licence you are almost certainly in scope — even when no tax ends up payable.

  • Mainland, free-zone and offshore companies
  • Free-zone entities — they still register and file; a Qualifying Free Zone Person may keep 0% on qualifying income
  • Branches and foreign companies with a permanent establishment or UAE-sourced income
  • Individuals running a licensed business or trade above the threshold
  • Loss-making and zero-tax businesses — registration and filing are still required
  • Personal salary, personal investments and personal property stay outside the tax

Rates & reliefs at a glance

  • 0% on taxable profit up to AED 375,000
  • 9% on taxable profit above AED 375,000
  • 15% domestic minimum top-up tax for large multinational groups (OECD Pillar Two)
  • Small Business Relief for eligible businesses under the revenue cap
  • Qualifying Free Zone Persons may access 0% on qualifying income

Your core obligations — handled end to end

  • Register with the FTA and obtain a Corporate Tax registration number
  • File one annual return within nine months of your tax-period end
  • Pay any tax due by the same deadline
  • Keep proper accounting records and financial statements (audited where required)
  • Maintain transfer-pricing documentation for related-party dealings where it applies

What we’ll usually need from you

  • Trade licence(s)
  • Financial statements
  • Shareholder and ownership details
  • Bank account details
  • Details of related-party transactions

Penalties we keep you clear of

Staying ahead of every deadline is the cheapest tax strategy there is.

  • Administrative fines for late or missing registration
  • Penalties for late or incorrect returns
  • Interest charged on tax paid late
  • Knock-on effects on future relief and benefit claims

Why it matters

01

Avoid penalties

Late registration or filing triggers FTA administrative penalties — we keep you ahead of every deadline.

02

FTA-registered agent

We can deal with the FTA on your behalf and represent you on any Corporate Tax matter.

03

Efficient structuring

Right-size your structure, reliefs and groupings to keep your effective tax position optimal.

Frequently asked questions

Who must register for UAE Corporate Tax?

Broadly, every UAE business and commercial activity — mainland, free zone or offshore, and most free-zone entities — must register with the FTA and obtain a Corporate Tax registration, whether or not tax is ultimately due.

What is the Corporate Tax rate?

A 0% rate applies to taxable profit up to AED 375,000 and 9% above it. A 15% domestic minimum top-up tax applies to large multinational groups under the OECD’s global minimum-tax rules.

Do free-zone companies pay Corporate Tax?

They must still register and file. A Qualifying Free Zone Person can keep a 0% rate on qualifying income provided the conditions are met — we assess your status and help you preserve it.

Do individuals pay Corporate Tax?

Personal income — salary, personal investments and personal real estate — is outside Corporate Tax. It applies to business profit; an individual running a licensed business above the threshold can be in scope.

Are foreign companies subject to Corporate Tax?

A foreign company can be taxable if it has a permanent establishment in the UAE or earns UAE-sourced income. We help determine your nexus and obligations.

Do I still file if my business made a loss?

Yes. Registration and an annual return are required even in loss-making or zero-tax years — and carried-forward losses can reduce future tax when the conditions are met.

When is the Corporate Tax return due?

Within nine months of the end of your tax period. We track your dates and file well ahead of the deadline.

What happens if I miss a deadline?

Late or missed registration and filing trigger FTA administrative penalties and interest, and can affect future relief claims. We keep you ahead of every date.

Other tax services

Talk to an FTA-registered Tax Agent today

Your first consultation is free. Let’s keep your business compliant and confident.

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