United Arab Emirates
Corporate Tax Guide
Time of Update: 4/01/2026
The United Arab Emirates has a standard corporate income tax rate of 9%. There is no need to estimate or prepay taxes, and all taxable persons must pay corporate tax within nine months after the end of the relevant tax period. The company tax return must also be submitted within nine months after the end of the relevant tax period. Small businesses and startups are supported with a 0% tax rate on taxable income under AED 375,000. The general VAT rate is 5%.
United Arab Emirates Tax Brief
Time of Update 4/01/2026
United Arab Emirates Corporate Income Tax (CIT)
General CIT Rate:
The standard corporate income tax rate in the UAE is set at 9% on taxable income above AED 375,000.
The corporate income tax rate is set at 0% for taxable income not exceeding 375,000 UAE dirham (AED) or qualifying income of a Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP).*
The corporate income tax rate is set at 0% for taxable income not exceeding 375,000 UAE dirham (AED) or qualifying income of a Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP).*
CIT Return Due Date:
According to the UAE CT law, all taxable persons must submit the company tax return within nine months after the end of the relevant tax period.
CIT Payment Due Date:
According to the UAE CT law, all taxable persons must pay corporate tax within nine months after the end of the relevant tax period.
CIT Estimated Payment Due Date:
According to the UAE CT law, there is no need to estimate/prepay taxes.
United Arab Emirates Withholding Tax (WHT)
Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
0%
None-Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
0%
United Arab Emirates Value-Added Tax (VAT)
General VAT Rate:
5
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United Arab Emirates Capital Gain Tax (CGT)
General Capital Gain Tax Rate:
Individuals: Generally, there is no personal capital gains tax, as the UAE does not levy personal income tax.
Companies: Capital gains are generally treated under corporate tax rules and typically fall within the scope of corporate tax, unless special rules such as the participation exemption or QFZP (Qualifying Free Zone Person) apply.
Companies: Capital gains are generally treated under corporate tax rules and typically fall within the scope of corporate tax, unless special rules such as the participation exemption or QFZP (Qualifying Free Zone Person) apply.
United Arab Emirates Effective Tax Rate (ETR)
Composite Effective Average Tax Rate:
Composite Effective Marginal Tax Rate:
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TKEG Expat ™ (South Africa) United Arab Emirates Corporate Tax Guide
1.
Corporate Income Tax (CIT)
The standard corporate income tax rate in the UAE is set at 9% on taxable income above AED 375,000.
The corporate income tax rate is set at 0% for taxable income not exceeding 375,000 UAE dirham (AED) or qualifying income of a Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP).
The corporate income tax rate is set at 0% for taxable income not exceeding 375,000 UAE dirham (AED) or qualifying income of a Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP).
2.
Personal Income tax (PIT)
There is currently no personal income tax in the United Arab Emirates. As such, there are no individual tax registration or reporting obligations.
3.
Value Added Tax (VAT)
Taxable supplies and imports are subject to the standard VAT rate of 5%.
Zero-rated supplies generally include: exports, qualifying international transportation, the supply or import of qualifying investment precious metals, the first supply of newly constructed residential properties within three years of completion, and education services that meet the statutory conditions, among others.
Filing deadline: within 28 days after the end of the tax period.
Zero-rated supplies generally include: exports, qualifying international transportation, the supply or import of qualifying investment precious metals, the first supply of newly constructed residential properties within three years of completion, and education services that meet the statutory conditions, among others.
Filing deadline: within 28 days after the end of the tax period.
4.
Excise taxes
The UAE imposes excise tax on certain products: tobacco and tobacco products at 100%, e-liquids at 100%, electronic smoking devices at 100%, and energy drinks at 100%; sweetened beverages are subject to tiered specific taxation based on sugar content.
5.
Capital Gains Tax (CGT)
Individuals: Generally, there is no personal capital gains tax, as the UAE does not levy personal income tax.
Companies: Capital gains are generally treated under corporate tax rules and typically fall within the scope of corporate tax, unless special rules such as the participation exemption or QFZP (Qualifying Free Zone Person) apply.
Companies: Capital gains are generally treated under corporate tax rules and typically fall within the scope of corporate tax, unless special rules such as the participation exemption or QFZP (Qualifying Free Zone Person) apply.
