Accounting & tax for UAE free zone companies
Keep your free zone licence renewals smooth and your 0% Corporate Tax status safe, with audit-ready books and an annual Qualifying Free Zone Person review.
The de minimis limit is the lower of AED 5 million or 5% of total revenue. Rules depend on your activities, so we confirm your position each year.
Free zone doesn't mean tax-free by default
Most free zone companies can still benefit from 0% Corporate Tax, but only if they meet every condition: adequate substance in the free zone, qualifying activities and income, non-qualifying revenue within the de minimis limit, transfer pricing compliance and audited financial statements. Miss one, and all your income can be taxed at 9%.
We keep your books to the standard your free zone authority and auditor expect, assess your qualifying status each year, and file your VAT and Corporate Tax returns on time.
Free zones we work with
DMCC, JAFZA, DAFZA, IFZA, Meydan, Dubai South, Dubai Silicon Oasis, RAKEZ, SHAMS, SAIF Zone, Ajman Free Zone, Hamriyah, KEZAD, ADGM, DIFC and more.
How we help
Audit-ready bookkeeping
Monthly books and reconciliations that pass your auditor first time.
Audited financial statements
Audit coordination for licence renewals and Corporate Tax.
QFZP assessment
Annual review of qualifying income, substance and de minimis limits.
Corporate Tax return
Tax computation and annual return, applying the 0% rate correctly.
VAT for free zones
Designated zone rules, imports, exports and VAT returns.
Transfer pricing
Related-party transactions with your parent or group companies.
Simple from day one
Review
We review your licence, activities and income streams.
Set up
We organise your books and audit timeline.
Assess
We test your QFZP conditions every year.
File
We file VAT and Corporate Tax returns on time.
Frequently asked questions
Do free zone companies pay Corporate Tax?
They must register and file a return. A Qualifying Free Zone Person pays 0% on qualifying income and 9% on taxable income that isn't qualifying. Companies that fail the conditions are taxed at the standard rates.
What is the de minimis rule?
A Qualifying Free Zone Person can keep its status if non-qualifying revenue is no more than the lower of AED 5 million or 5% of total revenue. Above that, the company loses QFZP status for that period and the following four tax periods.
Does my free zone company need an audit?
To be a Qualifying Free Zone Person, you must prepare audited financial statements. Many free zone authorities also require them for licence renewal.
Can a free zone company trade with the UAE mainland?
It can, depending on its licence, but income from mainland customers is often non-qualifying and may be taxed at 9%. We help you structure and track it.
Protect your 0% free zone status
Book a free, no-obligation consultation. We'll review where you stand with VAT, Corporate Tax and your books, and tell you exactly what's needed.