FTA TAXP010: Free Zone vs Designated Zone Status
Is Your Free Zone a ‘Designated Zone’ for Corporate Tax Too? The FTA Says Don’t Assume So If your free zone is a Designated Zone for VAT, that does not automatically make it a Designated Zone for Corporate Tax. The Federal Tax Authority confirmed this in Public Tax Clarification TAXP010, issued on 2 October 2026. The […]
Your Tax Returns Are Talking to Each Other: Reconciling VAT and Corporate Tax in the UAE
VAT turnover and Corporate Tax revenue in the UAE do not need to match. They are built from different starting points, for different purposes, under different laws. But when the two numbers diverge, the business needs to be able to explain why – clearly, consistently, and before anyone asks. That requirement is becoming one of the […]
When Employee Equity Becomes a Tax Question
Employees in the UAE don’t pay tax when their stock options vest, when they exercise them, or when they eventually sell the shares. That part is settled. What’s less settled – and far less discussed – is what happens on the employer’s side of the same transaction once UAE Corporate Tax, transfer pricing rules, and […]
The UAE’s New Central Bank Law Is Moving From Framework to Enforcement
The UAE’s New Central Bank Law Is Moving From Framework to Enforcement This creates an important compliance reality: Firms may need to operate under three layers simultaneously. The 2025 Central Bank Law New 2026 regulations Older rules that remain effective until replaced This is precisely why a simple “new law checklist” may be insufficient. What institutions need is […]
New UAE Tax Penalty Regime in Force from 14 April 2026, Rewarding Early Voluntary Disclosures
A sweeping overhaul of the UAE’s tax penalty framework took effect on 14 April 2026, replacing the punitive, compounding fine structure that has governed VAT, Excise Tax and Corporate Tax violations since 2021 with a simplified, proportionate system designed to reward businesses that correct their own mistakes early. The reform, introduced under Cabinet Decision No. 129 […]
UAE Climate Law 2024: GHG Reporting Rules Explained
Federal Decree-Law No. (11) of 2024 introduces the UAE’s first legally binding climate compliance framework, requiring businesses across the mainland and many free zones to meet greenhouse gas emissions obligations. If your organisation operates in the UAE, understanding these requirements is essential to avoid penalties and prepare for future reporting. Effective from August 2024, the law […]