Corporate Tax Registration Deadline for companies in the UAE
Radia Hammoulhadj
Tax Business Partner
Are you aware of the looming corporate tax registration deadlines that could impact your business operation in the UAE? The Corporate Tax in the UAE was announced in 2022 and was later defined by Federal Decree-Law No. 60 of 2023. In its decision No.3 of 2024, the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) recently published a new guideline to define Corporate Tax registration deadline clarifying for taxable persons. Here’s everything you need to know to stay compliant.
While reminding that all taxable persons are required to submit a Corporate Tax registration application, the FTA specifies the different timelines applicable whether the entity is resident or non-resident in the UAE.
As mentioned in previous decisions and recalled by this guide, the registration timeline to follow is based on the date of incorporation or establishment of the taxable person. For the first time, the FTA specifies that this rule also applies to offshore companies.
1. Corporate Tax Registration deadline for UAE-Resident persons
1.1 Timeline for existing companies
Corporate Tax registration is mandatory for all UAE-resident taxable persons, including offshore companies. As specified in the decision No3 of 2024, the timeline to register is based on the date of establishment or incorporation.
A detailed calendar has been issued by the FTA defining deadlines for all companies incorporated or established before March 1st, 2024.
Date of Licence issuance
Deadline for submitting a Tax Registration application
1 Jan – 31 Jan
31 May 2024
1 Feb – 28/29 Feb
31 May 2024
1 Mar – 31 Mar
30 Jun 2024
1 Apr – 30 Apr
30 Jun 2024
1 May – 31 May
31 Jul 2024
1 Jun – 30 Jun
31 Aug 2024
1 Jul – 31 Jul
30 Sep 2024
1 Aug – 31 Aug
31 oct. 2024
1 Sep – 30 Sep
31 oct. 2024
1 Oct – 31 Oct
30 nov. 2024
1 Nov – 30 Nov
30 nov. 2024
1 Dec – 31 Dec
31 Dec 2024
1.2 UAE-Resident natural persons making business in the UAE
The Corporate Tax registration is not mandatory only for juridical persons. Natural persons, must register for Corporate Tax if they meet some criteria, in order to avoid any fines.
Natural persons who are UAE Residents must register for Corporate Tax if their turnover in the UAE exceeds AED 1 million during a Gregorian calendar year, starting from 1st January 2024.
The registration has to be filled before 31st of March of the Gregorian year in which the turnover exceeds AED 1 million.
1.3 Timeline for newly established companies
But what happens for taxable persons incorporated or established after this date?
As per FTA clarifications, resident taxable persons incorporated or established after March 1st, 2024, have to submit their registration within 3 months following the date of their incorporation.
Don’t risk missing your corporate tax registration deadline! Contact our expert consultants now to ensure your business stays compliant and avoids penalties.
1.4 Tax Registration deadlines for closing companies
This obligation to follow the deadline for Corporate Tax Registration applies to companies intending to or having ceased business, or liquidating, if their first Tax Period already started.
This means that, even if a company is considering ceasing its business activity, it might need to register for the сorporate tax.
2. Corporate Tax Registration Dealdine for non-resident persons
2.1 Non-resident company in the UAE
Non-resident juridical persons might have to submit a Corporate Tax registration in the UAE.
Juridical persons having a permanent establishment or a group of companies (nexus) in the UAE are to submit their Corporate Tax registration in 2024. The timeline to follow for the registration will depend on the date the permanent establishment was recognized in the UAE.
If the permanent establishment was recognized in the UAE prior to March 1st, 2024, the juridical person must submit a registration within nine months from the date of existence of the Permanent Establishment.
If the permanent establishment was recognized on or after March 1st, 2024, the juridical person must submit a registration within six months from the date of existence of the Permanent Establishment.
2.2 Non-resident natural person but making business in the UAE
Natural persons who are Non-Resident in the UAE might have to register for Corporate Tax if their turnover derived from a Permanent Establishment in the UAE exceeds AED 1 million during a Gregorian calendar year, starting from 1 January 2024.
The registration has to be filed within 3 months from meeting the requirements to be considered as a taxable person.
The Corporate Tax Registration Deadline can really differ from a company to another. It is a complex topic and late-registration’s penalties are significant. For personalized guidance on your tax profile, consider reaching out to us for professional advice.
