Dubai · tax and filings
Accounting, tax and audit for IFZA companies
IFZA is a free zone in Dubai. Owners of smaller free-zone companies tend to ask two things: what do we actually have to file, and do we need an audit?
This page sets out the federal rules that apply to every IFZA company. For the zone’s own renewal rules, ask IFZA or the firms that quote. One free request gets you quotes from up to three licensed firms.
IFZA and your filings
IFZA is a free zone in Dubai. Its companies are licensed by the zone, but corporate tax, VAT and e-invoicing are federal and handled by the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) through EmaraTax.
Whatever the zone asks for at renewal, the FTA expects records kept for 7 years and accounts that support your corporate tax return.
Do IFZA companies need an audit?
For tax, the answer depends on how the company is taxed:
- If you claim QFZP status
Yes. Every Qualifying Free Zone Person needs audited IFRS financial statements under Ministerial Decision 84 of 2025, whatever its revenue.
- If revenue is over AED 50m
Yes, audited statements are required for corporate tax.
- For licence renewal
IFZA’s own requirement is not confirmed here. Ask IFZA or your accountant what to submit at renewal.
Any audit must be signed by an auditor licensed by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism. See audit services.
Corporate tax: QFZP or the standard route
Every IFZA company must register for corporate tax, within 3 months of incorporation for companies set up on or after 1 March 2024. Late registration costs AED 10,000.
To pay 0% on qualifying income, the company must be a Qualifying Free Zone Person: adequate substance in the zone, qualifying income, transfer pricing compliance, audited IFRS statements, and non-qualifying revenue of no more than 5% of total revenue or AED 5m, whichever is lower. Failing a condition means 9% for that period and the next four.
Small companies often ask whether to aim for QFZP status or use Small Business Relief, which is open to eligible resident businesses with revenue of no more than AED 3m for tax periods ending on or before 31 December 2029. The two routes have different conditions. A tax agent can compare them for your company.
Services IFZA companies ask for
The usual starting point is corporate tax registration and simple bookkeeping, then corporate tax filing once the year closes.
- External auditAudited financial statements by a registered auditor
- Corporate tax registrationRegister on EmaraTax on time
- Corporate tax return filingFinancial statements, tax computation and the return
- Bookkeeping & accountingMonthly books, reconciliations and reports
- VAT registrationThreshold check, application and TRN
- Liquidation & deregistrationClose the company and its tax registrations properly
IFZA accounting: common questions
My IFZA company has no revenue yet. Do I still register for corporate tax?
Yes. Registration is required for every Free Zone Person, and the deadline runs from incorporation, not from your first sale.
Do I need VAT registration?
Registration is mandatory once taxable supplies and imports pass AED 375,000 over 12 months, and voluntary from AED 187,500. See VAT registration.
Can I get only bookkeeping, without an audit?
Yes, firms quote for bookkeeping alone. Whether you also need an audit depends on your tax route and what IFZA asks for at renewal.
Is the request free?
Yes. You get quotes from up to three licensed firms and you do not have to choose any of them.
Get quotes for your IFZA company
One short form, up to three licensed firms. Free, no obligation.