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Federal Tax Authority Calls on All Persons subject to Corporate Tax to File Their Tax Returns and Pay the Corporate Tax Due Within the Specified Timeframes to Avoid Late-Payment Penalties

Wed, 02 Sep 2026

Federal Tax Authority Calls on All Persons subject to Corporate Tax to File Their Tax Returns and Pay the Corporate Tax Due Within the Specified Timeframes to Avoid Late-Payment Penalties

Taxable Persons subject to Corporate Tax Whose Financial Year Ended on 31 December 2025 Are Required to File Their Tax Returns and Pay the Corporate Tax Due Before the End of September 2026

Those Eligible for Small Business Relief Are Required to File Simplified Tax Returns Within the Statutory Timeframe

Abu Dhabi, 2 September 2026: The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) calls on Taxable Persons to file their Tax Returns and pay the Corporate Tax due within a period not exceeding nine months from the end of each Person’s Tax Period, and Exempt Persons required to register to file their annual declarations to the FTA within a period not exceeding nine months from the end of their financial year.

Emphasising the importance of early preparation, the FTA urged Taxable Persons to prepare the documents required for filing Tax Returns and paying the Corporate Tax due, noting that this is a fundamental legal obligation that must be fulfilled to ensure compliance with the tax legislation. Exempt Persons required to register were also urged to prepare the documents required for filing their annual declarations within the applicable statutory timeframe.

The FTA emphasised that all Taxable Persons, including those eligible for Small Business Relief, whose financial year ended on 31 December 2025 must file their Tax Returns and pay the Corporate Tax due no later than 30 September 2026. The FTA confirmed that registration, Tax Return filing, and payment of Corporate Tax due are available around the clock through the EmaraTax digital tax services platform, using clear and simple steps. Taxable Persons can file their Tax Returns directly through the platform or seek assistance from approved Tax Agents listed on the FTA’s website.

Taxable Persons eligible for Small Business Relief must fulfil their compliance obligations under the Corporate Tax Law in each Tax Period. These obligations include registering for Corporate Tax, filing simplified Tax Returns, and maintaining all relevant documents supporting the accuracy of the information provided in their Tax Returns or any other documents required to be submitted. These records enable the FTA to verify Revenue, Taxable Income, and eligibility for Small Business Relief for Corporate Tax purposes.

The FTA explained that the records and documents that must be maintained and submitted with a Tax Return may vary depending on the nature of the Taxable Person’s business. However, there are essential documents that must be maintained, including, but not limited to, a record of the Taxable Person’s transactions during the Tax Period, an asset register including details of any purchases or disposals of assets, a record of the Taxable Person’s liabilities, and a record of shares or ownership interests held at the end of the Tax Period.

Failure to maintain the required records and any other information specified under the Tax Procedures Law and the Corporate Tax Law will result in administrative penalties in accordance with the relevant tax legislation. Persons exempt from Corporate Tax are also required to maintain records that enable the FTA to verify their exemption status in accordance with the Corporate Tax Law.

The FTA highlighted the importance of relevant Persons reviewing the Corporate Tax Law, its implementing decisions, and the related guides available through the FTA’s website at: https://tax.gov.ae/en/default.aspx.

Abdulaziz Al Mulla: Women’s empowerment is an established approach inspired by our wise leadership

Tue, 01 Sep 2026

Abdulaziz Al Mulla: Women’s empowerment is an established approach inspired by our wise leadership

Emirati women account for more than 93% of young female employees at the Authority

Abu Dhabi, 1September 2026: His Excellency Abdulaziz Mohammed Al Mulla, Director General of the Federal Tax Authority (FTA), affirmed that Emirati women have played a pivotal role in the continued development of the UAE’s tax system over recent years.

Speaking on the occasion of Emirati Women’s Day, observed annually on 28 August, His Excellency said: “The celebration of Emirati Women’s Day 2026 under the theme ‘We Emerge Stronger and Better’, with a month-long national programme, recognises the remarkable achievements of Emirati women and reaffirms the importance of building on the progress they have made with the guidance and support of our wise leadership. Women are a fundamental pillar of the nation and continue to demonstrate their competence and excellence in fulfilling their responsibilities, while showing their readiness to take on greater roles and make even greater contributions to national development.”

His Excellency affirmed that, since its establishment, the FTA has adopted a comprehensive approach to strengthen the role of Emirati women and empower them across a wide range of positions and professional specialisations. This reflects the FTA’s confidence in their capabilities and proven excellence across multiple sectors, including taxation.

Emirati women represent more than 87% of the FTA’s total female workforce, with 403 Emirati women employed across the organisation. Of these, 329, or 82%, are young Emirati women, representing more than 93% of all young female employees at the Authority. These figures reflect the FTA’s commitment to providing Emirati women with meaningful opportunities to develop their capabilities and realise their potential in the tax sector.

His Excellency Abdulaziz Al Mulla added: “The FTA remains committed to maintaining gender balance across its organisational structure as a key foundation for societal integration. Women now represent more than half of the workforce, accounting for 51% of all employees. So far in 2026, the FTA has appointed 50 Emirati women, representing 50% of all new appointments.”

He continued: “These indicators reflect the FTA’s firm belief that empowering women is not merely an initiative, but an established approach inspired by our wise leadership and translated into tangible action through opportunities for women to lead, innoVATe and help shape the future.

“Emirati women have a strong presence across all levels of the Authority’s organisational structure. The FTA currently has 330 Emirati women in specialised and professional roles, 60 in executive positions, and 13 in supervisory and leadership positions, contributing directly to decision-making across the Authority. This forms part of our ongoing efforts to support the long-term advancement of Emirati women and strengthen their role in the UAE’s national development through their contributions across social, economic, and political fields.”

Emphasising the significance of Emirati Women’s Day, the FTA described the occasion as an opportunity to honour the women of the UAE, celebrate their contributions, and encourage their continued participation in the country’s development and prosperity, further strengthening the UAE’s leading global position across multiple fields.

The FTA has become one of the leading government entities in attracting, developing, and benefiting from the expertise of Emirati women, while providing opportunities for professional growth and advancement into senior positions within a supportive working environment that nurtures talent.

As part of this commitment, the FTA Women’s Committee has developed a comprehensive programme of initiatives and activities running from 28 August to 28 September 2026 to celebrate Emirati women. The programme aims to recognise their achievements and highlight their important role in the continued development of the UAE’s tax system.

Activities will involve female employees from across the FTA and highlight successful Emirati women working in the UAE tax sector, showcasing their contributions across a range of professional fields.

Federal Tax Authority Awareness Events Attract Nearly 34,000 Participants in H1 2026, Up 23.3%

Sun, 30 Aug 2026

Federal Tax Authority Awareness Events Attract Nearly 34,000 Participants in H1 2026, Up 23.3%

Abdulaziz Al Mulla: Supporting Taxable Persons and Facilitating Voluntary Compliance through Flexible Mechanisms in Line with Global Best Practices

Abu Dhabi, 30 August 2026: The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has intensified its awareness activities to promote tax awareness, support business sectors, and enable them to achieve voluntary tax compliance with ease, efficiency, and accuracy.

The total number of awareness events conducted during the first half of 2026 reached 91, comprising in-person and virtual events and representing growth of more than 7% compared with approximately 85 events during the same period in 2025.

Participation in these in-person and virtual awareness events also recorded significant growth during the first six months of the year, exceeding 33,900 participants compared with 27,500 during the same period in 2025, an increase of 23.3%.

The Authority noted that several new awareness campaigns, programmes, and activities were introduced this year to meet the tax awareness needs of businesses and different segments of society. Beneficiary satisfaction with tax awareness activities increased to 94%, compared with 93% in the first half of 2025.

His Excellency Abdulaziz Mohammed Al Mulla, Director General of the Federal Tax Authority, said: “The Authority continues to advance its efforts to enhance tax awareness and ensure the smooth and efficient implementation of tax legislation and procedures. This forms part of our strategy to support Taxable Persons in fulfilling their tax obligations through flexible mechanisms aligned with global best practices. The strong turnout at the FTA’s tax awareness events reflects their success in reaching a broad range of stakeholders across the UAE tax system.”

He added that the awareness activities, including the FTA’s Customer Councils, which are held across all emirates, aim to maintain ongoing engagement with representatives of the business community and relevant stakeholders, providing opportunities to gather their views and suggestions on the Authority’s various initiatives and projects.

These efforts have also strengthened the FTA’s contribution to the objectives of the third cycle of the Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme by expanding digital integration with relevant entities, continuously enhancing the integrated digital experience, and introducing further measures to serve the community and enhance customer happiness.

Dr. Zahra Al Dahmani, Director of Taxpayer Services at the Federal Tax Authority, explained that several key awareness initiatives have been introduced this year, including new workshops on tax invoices, their requirements and importance as a fundamental element of tax compliance, as well as workshops on the E-Invoicing System. The workshops are being implemented jointly by the Ministry of Finance and the Federal Tax Authority to support voluntary tax compliance through secure and effective electronic mechanisms.

The new initiatives also included awareness activities covering the Domestic Minimum Top-up Tax (Pillar Two), its importance, requirements, and compliance mechanisms.

She emphasised that the newly introduced events aim to keep pace with the expansion of the FTA’s services and the continued development of tax legislation and operational mechanisms, while supporting efforts to simplify and accelerate tax procedures.

Awareness campaigns and programmes have therefore been intensified to keep stakeholders informed of developments within the tax system and foster an environment that encourages voluntary tax compliance. She noted that the FTA measured the improvement in taxpayer awareness through virtual and in-person workshops during the first half of 2026, with the awareness rate reaching 83.4%.

Looking ahead, the Authority confirmed that it will continue implementing new awareness campaigns and programmes to introduce its latest services and initiatives, while expanding the core awareness activities established in previous years.

During the first half of 2026, the FTA conducted 68 virtual events, attracting 32,800 participants, compared with 53 virtual events and 23,900 participants during the same period in 2025.

The Authority also conducted 23 in-person awareness workshops across all Emirates, benefiting 1,110 participants, compared with 30 workshops during the first six months of the previous year, which benefited 3,620 participants.

FTA Conducts 103,680 Inspection Visits in Six Months, Up 21% AED 174 Million in Tax Liabilities and Administrative Penalties Associated with 8.5 Million Non-Compliant Excise Products Seized Across UAE Markets During First Half of 2026

Tue, 11 Aug 2026

FTA Conducts 103,680 Inspection Visits in Six Months, Up 21%

AED 174 Million in Tax Liabilities and Administrative Penalties Associated with 8.5 Million Non-Compliant Excise Products Seized Across UAE Markets During First Half of 2026

Abu Dhabi, 11August 2026: The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) conducted approximately 103,680 field inspection visits across local markets during the first six months of 2026, compared to approximately 86,000 inspection visits during the first half of last year, representing a 21% increase.

The inspections were conducted as part of the Authority’s regulatory efforts, in cooperation with the relevant entities, to enhance tax compliance, protect consumer rights, and combat tax evasion.

The Authority confirmed that, during the visits conducted across all emirates, its teams seized and confiscated 8.45 million non-compliant excise products during the first half of this year, compared to 17.6 million in the corresponding period in 2025.

The seizures included 6.58 million non-compliant packages of tobacco and tobacco products, compared to 15.8 million during the first half of last year. In addition, 1.87 million non-compliant packages of other excise goods, including carbonated drinks, energy drinks, and sweetened beverages, were seized, compared to 1.7 million packages seized during the first six months of 2025.

The Authority also issued 3,343 registration notices to persons who were not registered for Value Added Tax, compared to 2,845 notices issued during the same period last year.

His Excellency Abdulaziz Mohammed Al Mulla, Director General of the Federal Tax Authority, said: “The Authority continues its efforts to enhance market supervision and prevent smuggled products from entering the UAE’s markets. These efforts aim to maintain high levels of compliance with tax legislation and procedures, which clearly define the obligations of the Authority and taxable persons. The Authority is also fully committed to protecting consumers, combating commercial fraud, and preventing the trade of low-quality and counterfeit products that negatively affect quality of life.”

He added: “The close and ongoing cooperation between the Authority and its strategic partners from the relevant federal and local entities is a key factor in enhancing the efficiency, speed, and effectiveness of regulatory operations across all areas of the UAE. This is achieved through the exchange of information and the utilisation of the advanced capabilities available to the relevant entities, including qualified personnel, logistical support services, and monitoring and tracking systems that comply with international best practices.”

Sarah AlHabshi, Executive Director of the Tax Compliance Sector at the Federal Tax Authority, said: “The indicators confirm that the Authority’s inspection campaigns have delivered strong regulatory outcomes. The total value of tax dues and fines associated with the non-compliant goods seized during inspection visits conducted by the Authority’s inspection teams in the first six months of this year exceeded AED 174 million.”

She added that the inspections aim to ensure compliance with tax laws, particularly regarding the issuance of tax invoices for sales, the display of tax-inclusive prices, and the payment of tax due on products traded in the markets. The inspections also aim to identify cases of tax evasion and other violations of the applicable tax legislation.

Federal Tax Authority and Dubai Police Seize 3.5 Million Non-Compliant Excise Goods Packages

Tue, 11 Aug 2026

Federal Tax Authority and Dubai Police Seize 3.5 Million Non-Compliant Excise Goods Packages

Abu Dhabi, .. July 2026: The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) announced that inspection campaigns carried out in cooperation with the General Department of Criminal Investigation of Dubai Police during the first half of 2026 resulted in the seizure of 3,587,315 non-compliant packages of excise goods and the issuance of 59 seizure reports against several establishments and individuals. The campaigns formed part of the two entities’ joint efforts to enhance tax compliance and combat tax evasion. The total tax dues and penalties associated with the seized goods amounted to AED 82,064,198.
A joint meeting was held at the FTA’s premises in Dubai, attended by His Excellency Abdulaziz Al Mulla, Director General of the FTA; Sara Al Habshi, Executive Director of the Tax Compliance Sector at the FTA; and representatives from the Authority. Also in attendance were Colonel Dr. Saud Mohammed Al Khalidi, Assistant Director of the General Department of Criminal Investigation for Specialised Crimes Affairs, and officials from Dubai Police General Headquarters.
During the meeting, both parties reviewed the results of the inspection campaigns, their joint efforts, and performance indicators for inspection and monitoring activities resulting from their cooperation during the first half of the year. Attendees were also briefed on the latest developments in the joint efforts between the FTA and Dubai Police to combat tax evasion and identify administrative violations.
His Excellency affirmed that the strategic partnership with Dubai Police is one of the key pillars supporting the efficiency of the Authority’s tax control system. He praised the role of the joint teams in carrying out inspection campaigns and the results achieved in combating tax evasion and apprehending violators, thereby supporting compliance with tax legislation, preserving the competitiveness of the UAE’s business environment, and protecting legitimate businesses and companies.
He explained that cooperation between the FTA and Dubai Police, supported by the exchange of expertise and the use of modern technology in monitoring and inspection activities, contributes to improving the efficiency of oversight operations, strengthening the ability to detect violations, and taking legal action against perpetrators.
Both entities reaffirmed their continued cooperation in conducting monitoring and inspection campaigns and intensifying efforts to detect excise goods for which tax has not been paid. They will also continue to monitor taxable persons’ compliance with tax legislation and procedures across all transactions. These efforts contribute to raising tax compliance levels, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of monitoring and inspection activities, and leveraging the capabilities and expertise of both entities to support the sustainability of the UAE tax system.
Additionally, Sara AlHabshi, Executive Director of the Tax Compliance Sector, affirmed that the Authority’s efforts to combat tax evasion are not limited to conducting monitoring and inspection campaigns, but also extend to strengthening community partnerships through the Raqeeb platform, which is dedicated to reporting cases of tax evasion.
The platform enables members of the public to contribute to supporting regulatory efforts aimed at protecting markets and public funds from tax evasion activities.
She added that the Authority is intensifying its monitoring efforts to ensure that all taxable persons comply with tax legislation and procedures across their various transactions. These efforts contribute to protecting consumers from the circulation of taxable products that do not meet the approved quality standards of the UAE market.
She also emphasised that effective communication and continuous coordination between the Authority and its partners are fundamental pillars in improving the efficiency of monitoring operations and enhancing the effectiveness of efforts to combat tax evasion and protect the market.
Notes to Editors:
The FTA was established pursuant to Federal Decree-Law No. (13) of 2016 with the objective of contributing to the implementation of the UAE’s economic diversification strategy and increasing non-oil revenues through the administration and collection of federal taxes in accordance with international best practices and standards. The Authority provides all necessary support and assistance to enable taxable persons to comply with tax laws and procedures governing their dealings with the Authority. Since its launch in 2017, the Authority has cooperated with relevant entities to establish a comprehensive and balanced tax system, making the UAE one of the first countries globally to implement a fully electronic tax system that encourages voluntary compliance through simplified and efficient procedures, starting from registration through to tax return submission and payment of due taxes via the Authority’s website: www.tax.gov.ae.