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UAE Tax Compliance Checklist for New Companies

Quick answer

After your UAE trade licence: open a bank account, assess VAT and CT registration, set up accounting records, build a compliance calendar for VAT returns, CT filing (9 months post-FY), licence renewal, and payroll WPS if you have staff.

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First 90 days

Week 1–4: bank account, VAT threshold check, CT registration assessment. Month 2–3: EmaraTax TRN applications, invoice templates, first bookkeeping cycle.

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Last verified: August 27, 2026

Fees and rules traced to official UAE authorities. KPM Global review cadence: monthly or on FTA/GDRFA updates.

Official source basis

Federal Tax Authority (tax.gov.ae) public guidance. KPM Global simplified this for business owners — not a substitute for official FTA advice or EmaraTax records.

Fees & rules last reviewed: 27 August 2026

Frequently asked questions

FTA requires adequate records for VAT and CT — typically 5 years of invoices, contracts, and bank statements.

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