UAE Business Setup Blog

One of the biggest attractions of a UAE free zone is the 0% corporate tax rate. But here is what many free zone business owners discover only at filing time: the 0% rate is not automatic. It is available only to a Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) — a company that meets a specific set of conditions. Fail even one, and you can lose QFZP status and pay 9% on your profits. As free zone companies work through their corporate tax returns, this is the make-or-break question. This guide explains

For most UAE businesses, corporate tax means 9% above AED 375,000. But for large multinational groups, a second, higher regime now applies: the Domestic Minimum Top-up Tax (DMTT), which ensures a minimum effective tax rate of 15% on UAE profits. It took effect for financial years starting on or after 1 January 2025, and if your group is in scope, this is a board-level compliance obligation — not a footnote. This guide answers the one question every affected CFO and tax director is asking: does the DMTT apply to us,

If your company’s financial year ended on 31 December 2025, your corporate tax return is due by 30 September 2026 — and for most UAE businesses, this is the first corporate tax return they have ever filed. Miss it, and the penalties start stacking up quickly. File it correctly and on time, and you may even qualify to have an earlier penalty waived or refunded. With the deadline weeks away, here is exactly what you need to know: who must file, what happens if you’re late, and how the FTA’s

Opening a UAE corporate bank account is the step that trips up more new businesses than any other — even after you’ve set up your company and have your trade licence in hand. In 2026, UAE banks apply tighter compliance checks than ever, and a surprising number of applications get delayed or rejected over issues that are entirely avoidable. Here’s exactly what banks look for, why applications fail, and how to walk in prepared to get approved. UAE Corporate Bank Account Rules: Why Opening Is Stricter in 2026 Following the

UAE Corporate Tax 2026 is no longer “the new thing on the horizon” — it’s here, it applies to your business, and the 2026 deadlines carry real penalties if you miss them. The good news is that the rules are more manageable than most owners fear, and with the right preparation, many small businesses pay little or nothing. This guide breaks down exactly what UAE Corporate Tax means for you in 2026 — the rates, who has to register, the deadlines that matter, and how free zone companies keep their