Updated Corporate Tax Registration Timeframes Announced by the Federal Tax Authority
New Deadlines Set for Compliance with UAE Corporate Tax Laws
The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has issued a new directive detailing specific timeframes for entities to register for Corporate Tax to comply with the Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 and its subsequent amendments. This move is critical for taxable persons to avoid penalties and align with the UAE’s tax regulations.
Effective from March 1, 2024, the FTA’s announcement outlines the periods within which both juridical and natural persons must apply for Corporate Tax registration.
Key Registration Deadlines for Juridical Persons
The FTA has determined the following deadlines based on the month of license issuance:
- January or February: Register by May 31, 2024
- March or April: Register by June 30, 2024
- May: Register by July 31, 2024
- June: Register by August 31, 2024
- July: Register by September 30, 2024
- August or September: Register by October 31, 2024
- October or November: Register by November 30, 2024
- December: Register by December 31, 2024
Entities with licenses issued in January and February are urged to register before the end of May 2024 to steer clear of non-compliance issues.
Specifics for Various Juridical and Natural Persons
Juridical persons without a license by March 1, 2024, are required to register within three months from this date. For entities with multiple licenses, the earliest issued license will determine the latest registration deadline.
Newly established juridical persons after March 1, 2024, must register within three months from their date of incorporation. Non-resident juridical persons with a Permanent Establishment in the UAE before this date have nine months to register, while those establishing a nexus in the UAE after this date have a three-month window for registration.
Natural persons who exceed the turnover threshold during the 2024 Gregorian calendar year must register by March 31 of the following year. Non-resident natural persons meeting taxable conditions must register within three months from the date those conditions are fulfilled.
Avoiding Penalties
Failure to meet these registration deadlines will result in administrative penalties as defined in the Cabinet Decision No. 75 of 2023.
Educational Webinars and Registration Support
The FTA will be conducting webinars to educate stakeholders about the corporate tax registration requirements and deadlines. These webinars are part of the FTA’s campaign to increase awareness about Corporate Tax.
Registration for Corporate Tax can be completed via the EmaraTax digital tax services platform, accessible 24/7. The process involves four straightforward steps and takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. Taxpayers already registered for VAT or Excise Tax can easily submit their Corporate Tax registration request through the same platform.
New taxpayers should create their profiles on the EmaraTax platform, after which they can proceed with the Corporate Tax registration process.
