Mainland, DMCC, JAFZA, DIFC and more
Accounting, tax and audit firms in Dubai
Dubai companies work under the same federal tax rules as the rest of the UAE. Corporate tax and VAT are set by federal law and run by the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) through EmaraTax. What changes in Dubai is the setting: a large mainland economy next to several free zones, each with its own authority, activity list and, in some cases, its own audit rules.
With UAE Accountant you send one short request. It reaches up to three licensed accounting, tax and audit firms that work with Dubai companies. They contact you with quotes. The request is free and there is no obligation.
Accounting and tax services in Dubai
Pick a service. Where we have a Dubai page, it explains what is different here. Otherwise the request form opens with Dubai already selected.
- Corporate tax registration in DubaiA tax agent or accounting firm checks your deadline, prepares the documents and registers your business for corporate tax on EmaraTax.
- Corporate tax return filingYear-end financial statements, the taxable income calculation, relief and free zone checks, and the return filed on EmaraTax.
- VAT registration in DubaiCheck whether you must or may register, prepare the turnover evidence and submit the VAT registration on EmaraTax.
- VAT return filingSales and purchase VAT reconciled from your books, the return prepared and filed on time, and corrections when something was missed.
- E-invoicing readinessReadiness review, choosing an Accredited Service Provider, data and system changes, and testing before your go-live date.
- Bookkeeping & accounting in DubaiYour transactions recorded, bank accounts reconciled and clear monthly reports: the records corporate tax and VAT depend on.
- Payroll & WPSSalary calculations, WPS salary files, end-of-service gratuity accruals and payslips, run every month.
- External audit in DubaiStatutory audits for free zone and mainland companies, and audits for corporate tax, licence renewals and banks, by registered auditors.
- Accounting system setupChoosing and setting up accounting software, the chart of accounts, VAT codes and data migration, plus training for your team.
- Part-time CFO servicesA senior finance professional for budgets, cash flow forecasts, management reporting and bank or investor discussions.
- Liquidation & deregistrationLiquidation reports, final financial statements, and corporate tax and VAT deregistration so nothing is left open with the FTA.
- AML complianceAnti-money laundering programmes for real estate brokers, dealers in precious metals and stones, corporate service providers and other designated businesses.
Dubai’s business mix and why it shapes your accounting
The first question a Dubai firm will ask is where your licence was issued. A mainland company is licensed by the emirate’s economic department. A free-zone company is licensed by its zone authority, and that authority can set its own conditions for licence renewal, such as submitting audited accounts.
Dubai has free zones built around very different activities. DMCC is the commodities centre. JAFZA in Jebel Ali has more than 11,000 companies, most of them in trade and logistics, and uses the Dubai DED activity list. DIFC is a financial free zone regulated by the DFSA, with its own companies law and its own data protection law. Meydan Free Zone lets one licence hold up to 3 activity groups from more than 2,500 activities. IFZA and Dubai South round out the zones we cover.
The tax rules are the same in all of them. Corporate tax is 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% above it. VAT is 5%. A free-zone company only gets 0% on qualifying income if it is a Qualifying Free Zone Person, and that status needs audited IFRS financial statements.
What Dubai businesses usually ask for
- New companies
Corporate tax registration within 3 months of incorporation, and VAT registration once taxable supplies pass AED 375,000.
- Free-zone companies
An audit by an auditor the zone accepts, and a check of whether the company can claim QFZP status.
- Trading and logistics companies
Monthly bookkeeping, stock records, VAT on imports and VAT returns every quarter.
- Businesses with B2B customers
E-invoicing readiness: appointing an Accredited Service Provider and preparing ERP and master data before the go-live date that applies to them.
- Growing companies
Corporate tax filing by 30 September for a December year-end, payroll through WPS and outsourced CFO support.
- Regulated sectors
Real estate agents, dealers in precious metals and corporate service providers often need AML and goAML support.
Where Dubai companies are based
Your firm does not need to be in the same area as you, but it should know the rules of the authority that issued your licence. Main business areas and free zones include:
- Business Bay
- Deira
- Bur Dubai
- Jumeirah Lakes Towers (DMCC)
- Jebel Ali (JAFZA)
- DIFC
- Meydan
- Dubai South
Most bookkeeping and tax work is done remotely. An audit may need a visit for stock counts or document checks. We have separate pages for the Dubai free zones below.
Accounting firms in Dubai: common questions
Is corporate tax different in Dubai from the other emirates?
No. Corporate tax and VAT are federal and run by the FTA. What differs is who issued your licence and, for free-zone companies, the rules of that zone. See our corporate tax guide.
My company is in DMCC. Can any auditor sign my accounts?
No. DMCC accepts audited accounts only from firms on its Approved Auditor List. When you send an audit request, tell us your zone so it goes to firms that can work there. See DMCC.
Does a free-zone company in Dubai pay 0% corporate tax?
Only if it is a Qualifying Free Zone Person and meets all the conditions, including substance in the zone, audited IFRS accounts and the de minimis test. Otherwise the normal rates apply. A licensed firm can check your case.
Which firms receive my request?
Up to three licensed accounting, tax or audit firms. We ask each firm for its trade licence and, where relevant, its FTA tax agent registration or Ministry of Economy and Tourism auditor licence.
Is the request free?
Yes. Sending a request is free and there is no obligation. You agree the scope and fee with the firm you choose.
Get quotes from accounting firms in Dubai
One request reaches up to three licensed firms that work with Dubai mainland and free-zone companies.