Corporate Tax Registration

Corporate tax, a vital aspect of business finance, is the tax levied on companies' profits. Corporate Tax in the UAE, as mandated by the Federal Decree Law 47, is a significant fiscal responsibility for businesses. The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) regime necessitates every taxable entity, including Free Zone Persons, to register for Corporate Tax and obtain a Registration Number. The law further stipulates that even exempted persons must register for corporate tax.

At Filings.ae, we specialize in guiding businesses through this mandatory registration. Our expert team provides invaluable assistance in understanding these requirements and facilitating the Corporate Tax Registration process.

Contact Filings.ae today to get your Corporate Tax Registration number quickly!

Corporate Tax

Corporate tax, often known as corporate income tax or business profits tax, is a type of direct tax imposed on the net earnings of corporations and various other business entities.

Applicability of Corporate Tax

The UAE Corporate Tax applies to various entities, including resident persons, free zone entities, and non-residents engaged in business within the UAE.

This also encompasses non-resident entities that have a permanent establishment in the country.

  • For natural persons, the Corporate Tax is applicable only if their total annual turnover exceeds AED 1 million.
  • Resident juridical persons are liable for Corporate Tax on their worldwide income, whereas resident natural persons are taxed only on income generated from business activities within the UAE.
  • Non-resident entities, on the other hand, are subject to Corporate Tax under specific conditions:
  • Income generated through a permanent establishment in the UAE.
  • Income sourced from the UAE that is not attributable to a permanent establishment.
  • Income linked to any immovable property in the UAE, reflecting the nexus of the non-resident person in the country.

Exemptions from UAE Corporate Tax

Automatically Exempt:

  • Government Entities
  • Government-Controlled Entities Specified in a Cabinet Decision

Exempt with Notification to the Ministry of Finance (subject to conditions):

  • Extractive Businesses
  • Non-Extractive Natural Resource Businesses

Exempt as Listed in a Cabinet Decision:

  • Qualifying Public Benefit Entities
  • Exempt with Federal Tax Authority Approval (subject to conditions)
  • Public or private pension and social security funds

Qualifying Investment Funds

  • Wholly owned and controlled UAE subsidiaries of government entities, government-controlled entities, qualifying investment funds, or pension and social security funds.

Taxable Person under Corporate Tax

Classification of Taxable Person for Corporate Tax Purposes

  • Resident Person: The scope of taxation for a Resident Person encompasses income originating from both domestic and international sources.
  • Non-Resident Person: In contrast, a Non-Resident Person is subject to taxation solely on the income that is sourced from within the UAE.

Corporate Tax Rates

The Corporate Tax rates in the UAE are as follows:

For Resident Taxable Persons:

  • Taxable Income not exceeding AED 375,000 : 0% Corporate Tax rate.
  • Taxable Income exceeding AED 375,000: 9% Corporate Tax rate.

For Qualifying Free Zone Persons

  • 0% Corporate Tax rate.
  • Taxable Income that does not meet the Qualifying Income definition: 9% Corporate Tax rate.

Corporate Tax Registration

As per the FTA's Federal Decree Law 47, The corporate tax regime demands that every taxable person, including a Free Zone Person, register for Corporate Tax and get a Registration Number.

FTA also requested that even the Exempted Persons register for Corporate Tax.

The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) mandates that Taxable Individuals or Independent Partnerships must undergo Corporate Tax registration and secure a Tax Registration Number. After completing corporate tax registration, individuals must remit a 9% standard Corporate Tax on taxable income exceeding AED 375,000, with a 0% charge applicable to taxable income up to AED 375,000.

Procedure for Corporate Tax Registration

The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has enabled pre-registration for corporate tax on the EmaraTax platform. EmaraTax is an online portal where taxpayers can manage various tax-related activities, including registrations, returns, refunds, deregistration, and payments, all in one place

Requirements for Corporate Tax Registration: For UAE Corporate Income Tax (CIT) registration, businesses must submit the documents to the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) online. The required documents differ based on the type of applicant:

For Natural Persons:

  • Trade license (if applicable).
  • Passport and Emirates ID of the applicant.

For Legal Persons:

  • Trade license.
  • Passport and Emirates ID of the authorized signatory.
  • Proof of authorization for the authorized signatory.

Corporate Tax Registration Timeline

A taxable business must complete registration by its first tax return date. For instance, a business whose financial year ends on May 31st has a registration period until February 28th, 2025, which is 26 months. For companies with the financial year ending on December 31st, a 33-month registration period is available until September 30th, 2025.

Procedures and Steps for Corporate Tax Registration

To commence the Corporate Tax Registration process, an account must be created on the Emaratax portal, requiring new users' email ID and phone number.

  • Existing users may proceed by logging in with their established ID and password.
  • Upon accessing the portal, one must either create a profile for a taxable person or select an appropriate entity from the list of taxable persons.
  • The Emaratax portal provides an option for Corporate Tax registration. This option must be selected to initiate and complete the registration process.
  • Recognizing the complexities involved in Corporate Tax registration, Filings.ae offers comprehensive support throughout this process.

Corporate Tax Filing

After obtaining Corporate Tax Registration, businesses must proceed with Corporate Tax Return Filing to comply with UAE tax regulations. Filings.ae offers expert assistance in this crucial step to ensure accuracy and compliance.

Simplify the Corporate Tax Registration process with Filings.ae.

At Filings.ae, our team offers expert guidance and streamlined solutions for creating your taxable entity on the Emaratax portal and ensuring accurate and compliant registration. With Filings.ae, businesses gain the advantage of efficiently handling all aspects of Corporate Tax Registration & Corporate Tax Filing. Our commitment is to provide a hassle-free experience, allowing companies to focus on their core operations.

For a seamless experience managing the complexities of Corporate tax registration and tax filing, contact Filings.ae to ensure accuracy and adherence to regulations.

UAE Corporate TAX Registration FAQ's

What is corporate tax in UAE?

Corporate tax in the UAE is a direct tax imposed on the net income or profit of corporations and other business entities. It is calculated based on the earnings these entities generate from their business activities.
0% Tax Rate: Applied to taxable income not exceeding AED 375,000 and qualifying income of a Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP).
9% Tax Rate: Applied to taxable income exceeding AED 375,000 and non-qualifying income of a QFZP

What is the last date for corporate tax registration?

The last date for corporate tax registration in the UAE is based on your financial year. If your financial year runs from June 1, 2023, to May 31, 2024, you must register and pay taxes by February 28, 2025. For a financial year from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024, the last date to register and pay is between January 1 and September 30, 2025.

Who should get corporate tax registration?

All taxable persons must register for Corporate Tax and obtain a TRN (Tax Registration Number).Taxable persons encompass various entities and individuals, including:
  • A company
  • A branch office
  • Individuals who conduct business
  • Non-resident persons, in certain situations

Is Corporate Tax Applicable for Freezone Companies?

Yes, corporate tax is applicable to freezone companies in the UAE, but with certain exemptions:
  • Qualifying Free Zone Persons (QFZP): These companies enjoy a 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income.
  • Non-Qualifying Income: If a freezone company has income that doesn’t qualify under the QFZP criteria, it is subject to the standard corporate tax rate of 9%

What is the tax rate for Corporate Tax in the UAE?

For resident taxable persons, the rate is 0% for income not exceeding AED 375,000 and 9% for income above that. For qualifying free zone persons, it’s 0% on qualifying income.

Is Corporate Tax applicable to foreign income of UAE residents?

Yes, resident juridical persons are liable for corporate tax on their worldwide income.

Are non-resident entities taxed differently?

Yes, non-resident entities are taxed only on income derived from sources within the UAE.

What documents are required for Corporate Tax Registration?

For natural persons, a trade license and personal identification are needed. Legal persons need additional documents like proof of authorization.

What is the timeline for Corporate Tax Registration?

A business must complete registration by its first tax return date, varying based on the financial year-end.

How does the EmaraTax portal facilitate Corporate Tax Registration?

EmaraTax is an online platform for managing tax-related activities, including registrations and returns.

What happens after obtaining Corporate Tax Registration?

Businesses must proceed with Corporate Tax Return Filing to comply with UAE tax regulations.

Does Filings.ae offer Corporate Tax Filing services?

Yes, Filings.ae provides comprehensive services for Corporate Tax Filing, ensuring accuracy and compliance.

What are the penalties for non-compliance with Corporate Tax regulations?

Penalties vary and can include fines for failure to register, late filing, or incorrect tax returns.

Can a business in a Free Zone register for Corporate Tax?

Yes, Free Zone entities are required to register for Corporate Tax in the UAE.

Is there any income threshold for individual taxation under Corporate Tax?

For natural persons, Corporate Tax applies if their total annual turnover exceeds AED 1 million.

What types of income are taxed for non-resident entities in the UAE?

Income from a permanent establishment, UAE-sourced income, and income from immovable property in the UAE are taxable.

Can Filings.ae help with Corporate Tax Registration for exempted entities?

Yes, Filings.ae assists all entities, including those exempt from tax, in fulfilling their registration obligations.

Are there any tax benefits for Free Zone entities under the UAE Corporate Tax regime?

Qualifying Free Zone Persons can enjoy a 0% Corporate Tax rate on qualifying income.

How does the classification of a taxable person affect Corporate Tax liability?

The tax liability varies based on whether the entity is a resident or non-resident, and the source of income.

Can Filings.ae assist with tax planning and compliance strategies for businesses in the UAE?

Yes, Filings.ae offers expert advice and strategies for effective tax planning and compliance, tailored to each business's needs.

Who is required to register for Corporate Tax in the UAE?

Every taxable entity, including resident persons, free zone entities, and non-residents conducting business in the UAE, must register for Corporate Tax.

Are there exemptions from Corporate Tax registration?

Certain entities like government bodies, extractive businesses, and qualifying public benefit entities are exempt, but they must still notify the Ministry of Finance.

How does Filings.ae assist in Corporate Tax Registration?

Filings.ae provides expert guidance and support throughout the Corporate Tax Registration process, ensuring compliance with the UAE's tax regulations.

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