Corporate Tax Registration in Abu Dhabi

UAE Corporate Tax applies nationwide at 9% on taxable income above AED 375,000, with 0% below it, and registration with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) is mandatory for almost every business — including those in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi is the capital and the UAE's largest emirate, with a business base that ranges from large corporates and government-linked entities to a fast-growing community of SMEs and free zone companies. Safeway is an FTA-approved tax agent based in Ajman, and we handle Corporate Tax registration for Abu Dhabi businesses across the mainland and every free zone, so you meet your deadline and avoid the AED 10,000 late-registration penalty.

Who must register for Corporate Tax in Abu Dhabi

Corporate Tax registration is required for a wide range of taxable persons operating in Abu Dhabi, whether on the mainland or in a free zone:

• Abu Dhabi mainland companies and LLCs of every size
• Free zone companies in Abu Dhabi, including those expecting the 0% Qualifying Free Zone Person rate
• Branches of foreign companies managed and controlled in the UAE
• Natural persons running a business with turnover above AED 1 million in a calendar year

Abu Dhabi free zones and Corporate Tax

Companies in Abu Dhabi's free zones — such as ADGM, KEZAD, Masdar City and twofour54 — must register for Corporate Tax even where they expect to pay 0% as a Qualifying Free Zone Person. The 0% rate is a relief claimed through the return, subject to conditions including meeting the arm's length and transfer pricing rules and earning qualifying income. We review your free zone status before you commit to a position.

Deadlines and penalties

The registration deadline depends on your licence issuance or incorporation date. Companies incorporated on or after 1 March 2024 generally register within three months of incorporation, and missing the deadline is an automatic AED 10,000 penalty. The Corporate Tax return is then due within nine months of your financial year end. We confirm your exact Abu Dhabi deadline so nothing is missed.

How Safeway helps Abu Dhabi businesses

• Confirming whether and when your Abu Dhabi business must register
• Completing the registration on the EmaraTax portal and obtaining your Corporate Tax registration number
• Reviewing Small Business Relief, free zone status and exempt income
• Preparing accounts and the Corporate Tax return, and dealing with the FTA on amendments and penalties

Contact us for a Corporate Tax review of your Abu Dhabi business. We work with clients across energy, construction, professional services, media and trading.

Frequently asked questions

Do businesses in Abu Dhabi need to register for Corporate Tax?

Yes. Almost every business in Abu Dhabi, on the mainland or in a free zone, must register for Corporate Tax with the FTA, even free zone companies expecting the 0% rate. Registration is mandatory before your deadline, whether or not tax is finally payable.

What is the Corporate Tax rate for Abu Dhabi companies?

0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% above it. A Qualifying Free Zone Person can pay 0% on qualifying income where all conditions are met.

What happens if a Abu Dhabi business registers late?

Late Corporate Tax registration carries an administrative penalty of AED 10,000, with further penalties for late filing and late payment.

Can Safeway register my Abu Dhabi business if you are based in Ajman?

Yes. Registration is done through the FTA's online EmaraTax portal, so we act for Abu Dhabi businesses across all emirates. Documents and communication are handled remotely and by email.

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