More than 640,000 UAE businesses registered for corporate tax ahead of the September 2025 deadline for entities with financial years ending on December 31, 2024.
The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) said the milestone reflects compliance rates exceeding international benchmarks, with UAE businesses showing high levels of awareness, timely filing, and on-schedule payments in alignment with the country’s evolving tax framework.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, Director-General of the FTA, said the surge in registrations demonstrates the effectiveness of the UAE’s legislative and procedural tax framework, which is built on advanced digital compliance systems aligned with international best practices.
UAE tax deadlines
He said the EmaraTax platform has already processed hundreds of thousands of tax returns and declarations, offering round-the-clock digital services with speed and transparency.
The FTA’s call centre also handled thousands of daily requests, providing immediate assistance during peak periods.
Al Bustani said the UAE’s flexible and business-friendly tax environment encourages voluntary compliance, as the government supports it with several initiatives, including a Cabinet decision that exempts certain corporate taxpayers and entities from administrative penalties for late registration, provided they file their first tax return within seven months of their initial tax period.
Extended deadlines and penalty exemptions
In support of smooth implementation, the FTA issued a decision extending filing and payment deadlines to December 31, 2024 for companies established on or after June 1 2023 whose first tax period ended on or before February 29, 2024.
ZATCA also introduced a grace period allowing registrants who delayed updating tax records between January 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025, to make amendments without penalties.
These measures, Al Bustani said, reflect the FTA’s commitment to supporting the business community through practical compliance facilitation, flexibility, and ongoing engagement.
Al Bustani attributed the high compliance rates to the FTA’s continuous enhancements to the EmaraTax platform, which streamline registration and filing procedures in line with the UAE’s Zero Bureaucracy programme.
He said these improvements have significantly reduced administrative burdens and supported business growth by simplifying compliance processes.
The FTA’s comprehensive awareness campaigns have also been pivotal in achieving high participation rates.
Nationwide awareness and education campaigns
Since the start of 2024, the FTA has rolled out a two-year awareness plan featuring more than 154 sessions—both virtual and in-person—attended by around 48,000 participants across the Emirates.
Through the Taxpayer Support Centre, Live Tax Connect, SMS reminders, direct communication, and social media outreach, the Authority has kept businesses informed and engaged.
The FTA also publishes regular guides, videos, and infographics on its website to ensure taxpayers can comply easily and accurately with corporate tax regulations.
