Reference · Updated for 2026
The UAEcompliance calendar.
Set out how your business is structured and get every filing date for the next twelve months — as a schedule you can read, and a calendar file you can keep.
01 Build your schedule
Your dates, not general ones.
Tell us how your business is set up and we’ll work out every filing date for the next twelve months — then hand you the calendar file.
Downloads an .ics file. Works with Outlook, Google Calendar and Apple Calendar. Each event reminds you a week ahead.
02 Next twelve months
0 filing dates.
Year at a glance
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
Corporate tax returnOther filings
03 Reference
Every rule, in full.
- 01
Corporate tax return & payment
Federal Tax Authority
Annual
Get help9 months after financial year end
The return and the payment fall due on the same date. There is no separate payment window and no instalment mechanism. A 31 December year-end gives a 30 September deadline.
Late filing penalties escalate monthly; interest accrues on unpaid tax.
- 02
Corporate tax registration
Federal Tax Authority
One-off
Get helpPer licence issue month; new entities within 3 months of incorporation
Mandatory for every taxable person, including those whose taxable income falls below AED 375,000 and who will pay nothing. Registration is made through EmaraTax.
AED 10,000 administrative penalty for late registration, which the FTA has waived where the outstanding return is filed within the relevant window.
- 03
Transfer pricing disclosure form
Federal Tax Authority
Annual
Get helpFiled with the corporate tax return
Discloses related-party and connected-person transactions. A Master File and Local File are required separately where own revenue reaches AED 200 million, or consolidated group revenue reaches AED 3.15 billion.
- 04
VAT return
Federal Tax Authority
Quarterly or monthly
Get help28 days after the end of the tax period
Period length depends on turnover. The payment is due on the same date as the return.
Late filing and late payment penalties apply separately.
- 05
VAT registration
Federal Tax Authority
One-off
Get helpWithin 30 days of exceeding the threshold
Mandatory once taxable supplies and imports exceed AED 375,000 over the preceding twelve months, or are expected to within the next thirty days. Voluntary registration is available from AED 187,500. VAT itself remains at 5%.
- 06
Excise tax return
Federal Tax Authority
Monthly
Get help15th day of the following month
Tobacco, electronic smoking devices and their liquids, and energy drinks are at 100%. From 1 January 2026 sweetened drinks moved to a tiered volumetric charge by sugar content and carbonated drinks ceased to be a separate category.
- 07
E-invoicing readiness
Ministry of Finance / FTA
Phased
Get helpPilot from 1 July 2026; mandatory at AED 50m+ revenue from 1 January 2027
The UAE e-invoicing mandate begins with a voluntary and pilot phase, then becomes mandatory for businesses with annual revenue of AED 50 million or more, with smaller businesses following. It applies whether or not you are registered for VAT, so system and master-data work needs to start ahead of the date.
- 08
Wage Protection System salary transfer
MoHRE
Monthly
Get helpWithin 15 days of the pay period end
Salaries must be paid through an approved WPS agent. Non-compliance can suspend new work permits.
- 09
Audited financial statements
Free zone authority / licensing body
Annual
Get helpTypically at licence renewal
Requirements vary by free zone and legal form. Some authorities require submission before renewal is processed.
04 Questions
The four we are asked most.
Nine months after the end of your financial year. A 31 December year end means 30 September; a 30 June year end means 31 March. The return and the payment are due on the same date — there is no separate payment window and no instalments.
Don't want to track this
We'll run yourcalendar for you.
Clients on a standing engagement get their deadlines managed, with what we need from you requested well ahead of each one.
