The UAE's Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has just announced a crucial update for businesses: a deadline for Corporate Tax registration. This marks a change from previous communications, which indicated that businesses could register anytime before their first tax return was due. Now, there's a specific deadline, and missing it will result in a AED 10,000 penalty.

Here's what you need to know about the deadlines based on your business type:

For UAE Resident Juridical Persons (LLC, FZCO, FZ LLC, FZE, Private Companies registered with DIFC/ADGM, offshore companies registered at RAKICC, etc.) the deadlines for registration is determined by the Trade license issue date of taxable persons and accordingly are as below. Where a juridical person has more than one Licence, the Licence with the earliest issuance date shall be used.

1. Date of Licence issuance falls in 1 January – 31January >>>>>>>> 31 May 2024
2. Date of Licence issuance falls in 1 February –28/29 February >>>>>>>> 31 May 2024
3. Date of Licence issuance falls in 1 March – 31March >>>>>>>> 30 June 2024
4. Date of Licence issuance falls in 1 April – 30April >>>>>>>> 30 June 2024
5.  Date of Licence issuance falls in 1 May – 31 May>>>>>>>> 31 July 2024
6.  Date of Licence issuance falls in 1 June – 30June >>>>>>>> 31 August 2024
7. Date of Licence issuance falls in 1 July – 31July >>>>>>>> 30 September 2024
8. Date of Licence issuance falls in 1 August – 31August >>>>>>>> 31 October 2024
9. Date of Licence issuance falls in 1 September – 30September >>>>>>>> 31 October 2024
10. Date of Licence issuance falls in 1 October – 31October >>>>>>>> 30 November 2024
11. Date of Licence issuance falls in 1 November –30 November >>>>>>>> 30 November 2024
12.  Date of Licence issuance falls in 1 December –31 December >>>>>>>> 31 December 2024
13. Where a person does not have a Licence at the effective date of this Decision >>>>>>>> (3) three months from the effective date of this Decision

For Natural Persons, the deadline as are below:

• A Resident Person who is conducting a Business or Business Activity during the 2024 Gregorian calendar year or subsequent years whose total Turnover derived in a Gregorian calendar year exceeds the threshold specified in the relevant tax legislation >>>>>>>> 31st March of the subsequent Gregorian calendar year.
• A Non-Resident Person who is conducting a Business or Business Activity during the 2024 Gregorian calendar year or subsequent years whose total Turnover derived in a Gregorian calendar year exceeds the threshold specified in the relevant tax legislation >>>>>>>> (3) three months from the date of meeting the requirements of being subject to tax.

A UAE Resident Juridical Person (LLC, FZCO, FZ LLC, FZE, Private Companies registered with DIFC/ADGM, etc.) which is incorporated on or after March 01, 2024 must submit the application for registration within 3 months from the date of incorporation, establishment or recognition.

We strongly advise not to delay your registration process. Our Accounting Team is here to help guide you through it for a reasonable fee. Make sure to get started as soon as possible to avoid any fines and ensure your business complies with the new regulations.