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UAE accounting, VAT and corporate tax - what to file and when
Most UAE companies need books plus VAT and/or corporate-tax filings when rules apply - even when tax due may be zero. Lexoford runs bookkeeping and filing coordination; Lexoford is not a law firm and does not guarantee bank or visa outcomes. Formation service-fee tiers AED 3,999 / 4,999 / 7,999 are service fees only and are separate from accounting retainers.
What's included
FTA registration matched to your activity and thresholds.
Accurate, on-time periodic returns.
Ledgers maintained to UAE standards, monthly or quarterly.
Management accounts and year-end statements.
Registration, assessment and filing coordination.
WPS payroll processing and records.
Bookkeeping, VAT and corporate tax: separate decisions
Books and reconciliation
Keep the records supporting invoices, expenses and balances so the figures used for reporting can be checked. Tell Lexoford whether you need regular bookkeeping or a backlog review.
VAT registration
FTA’s mandatory threshold is AED 375,000 of taxable supplies and imports over the previous 12 months, or expected in the next 30 days. The threshold does not apply to foreign businesses. Voluntary registration has a separate AED 187,500 test. Check FTA’s VAT registration rules.
Corporate tax registration
Registration is a separate step from calculating tax due. FTA requires companies subject to corporate tax to register under the applicable timeline; check the FTA registration service and decision for your entity.
Corporate tax return and payment
FTA states that taxable persons must file and pay any corporate tax due within nine months of the end of their tax period. This also covers those eligible for Small Business Relief. Read FTA’s filing guidance.
Official reference: FTA — VAT registration; checked 2026-09-30. Confirm how the rules apply to your circumstances.
Official reference: FTA — corporate tax return and payment; checked 2026-09-30. Confirm how the rules apply to your circumstances.
How it works
Review your licence type, activity, financial year, registration status and whether records are up to date.
Confirm bookkeeping, reconciliation and filing coordination separately, with a written scope and quotation.
Organise the agreed records and resolve missing information before the applicable filing.
Keep the agreed reporting routine and review applicable registration and filing dates.
Frequently asked questions
No. Registration and filing duties can still apply even when the amount payable is zero. What you must file depends on your facts - confirm with a qualified advisor for your case.
No. AED 3,999 / 4,999 / 7,999 are Lexoford company-formation service fees only. Bookkeeping, VAT, and corporate-tax retainers are quoted separately. Free-zone and government fees are at cost when they appear on a formation quote.
Yes. Lexoford can help reconstruct and reconcile, then move to a monthly or quarterly routine. Scope and timeline go in writing before work starts.
FTA states that taxable persons must file their return and pay corporate tax due within nine months of the end of the relevant tax period, including those eligible for Small Business Relief. Check your tax period and the current FTA guidance; a registration deadline is a separate question. Official guidance.
No. VAT registration looks at taxable supplies and imports, with a separate voluntary-registration test. Corporate tax registration and the calculation of taxable income are separate matters. The VAT mandatory threshold does not apply to foreign businesses; confirm the rule that applies to your entity. Official guidance.
Discuss bookkeeping and tax
Tell Lexoford your licence type, business activity, financial year-end, VAT/corporate-tax registration status and whether your books are up to date. A high-level summary is enough; do not paste bank statements, invoices, tax IDs or financial records here.
You will receive a written reply after submitting.