What is UAE Corporate Tax?
- The UAE introduced a Federal Corporate Tax (CT) on net profits of businesses under Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022, with effect for financial years starting on or after 1 June 2023.
- It applies to most businesses and business activities in the UAE, including mainland, free zones (subject to certain conditions), foreign entities operating through a permanent establishment, etc.
- Key rates & thresholds:
- Taxable income up to AED 375,000 → 0% rate
- Above AED 375,000 → 9% rate
- There are exemptions: government entities, certain public benefit entities, extractive or natural resource businesses under Emirate-level taxation, certain investment funds and free zone entities (if they satisfy qualifying criteria).
Compliance Obligations
- Registration: All taxable persons must register for corporate tax via the FTA’s EmaraTax platform. Even some exempt persons may be required to register, depending on rules.
- Tax return & payment deadlines: Returns must be filed, and tax paid, within 9 months after the end of the financial (tax) year.
- Record-keeping: Businesses must maintain accounting records, transaction details, assets & liabilities, shareholdings, etc., for at least 7 years after the end of the relevant tax period.
Privacy & Public Access: Are UAE Corporate Tax Records Public?
This is especially interesting for businesses, investors, researchers: how much of a company’s corporate tax info becomes public?
From available sources, here’s what is known:
| Type of Information | Is it Public / Open Data? | Notes / Context |
|---|---|---|
| General corporate tax laws, decrees, regulations, implementing decisions, and guides | Public | These are published by the UAE Ministry of Finance / FTA. |
| Deadlines, registration requirements, FAQ guidance, clarifications, penalties | Public | Via FTA website, official publications, media updates. |
| Aggregate / statistical tax data (e.g. number of registrations, compliance rates, refunds, open data metrics) | Public (partial) | FTA has an Open Data section with datasets, publication plans, etc. |
| Individual company-level tax returns, profits, taxable income, liabilities, etc. | Not Public (private/confidential) | There is no indication that individual corporate tax returns are published for the public. Like in many jurisdictions, tax filings are confidential. The FTA does not disclose private companies’ corporate tax filings. |
| Information about exempt persons for CT (where published) | Partially public (only if communicated by the entity or under law/regulated disclosure) | Some entities may publicly announce their status; but the FTA does not appear to maintain a public registry of which specific companies are exempt for tax (beyond general types). |
Legal & Policy Basis for Confidentiality
- Tax law in the UAE, like in many systems, treats tax return information as confidential. There are obligations on taxable persons to maintain records, but not to publish their returns. The authorities may use the data for enforcement, audits, etc.
- The FTA’s Open Data policy explicitly notes that data published via open data should be stripped of private/confidential information. Raw datasets are provided with consideration for “privacy, confidentiality or any given restrictions.”
Why Maintain Confidentiality?
- Protects business sensitive information: profit margins, liabilities, assets.
- Avoids giving competitors insight into strategy, pricing or business structure.
- Aligns with international norms: many countries do not publish individual tax returns (except for public companies under financial disclosure regimes).
What Firms Need to Do (Compliance + Best Practice)
- Register with the FTA in a timely manner. Missed registration can incur fines.
- Keep accurate financial statements and supporting documents (transactions, assets, shareholdings, liabilities).
- File returns and pay any tax due within 9 months after the financial year end.
- Retain records for at least 7 years.
Conclusion
The UAE’s corporate tax regime is relatively new (from mid-2023), and it follows international standards in terms of scope, rates, exemptions, and enforcement. It also has robust requirements for record-keeping, filing, and penalties.
Importantly, corporate tax filings at the company-level are not public. The FTA publishes general laws, guidance, aggregated figures, and open data sets that exclude confidential information. Individual return data remains private under existing policy and law.
How Prabix Can Help
At Prabix, we simplify complex tax and compliance matters for businesses in the UAE. From corporate tax registration with the FTA to maintaining accurate financial records and ensuring timely filing, our team provides end-to-end support. We also guide you on exemptions, free zone incentives, and practical compliance strategies so you can focus on growing your business while staying fully aligned with UAE corporate tax laws.