Corporate Tax Registration Deadline in the UAE: : 2025 Guide For Businesses & Individuals

As a business owner in the UAE, understanding the corporate tax registration deadline in the UAE is now more critical than ever. Corporate tax is now a reality, and companies are expected to follow stricter compliance rules—yet many weren’t prepared for how quickly those rules would take effect. The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) moved registration deadlines earlier than expected, requiring most businesses to register throughout 2024.

Instead of waiting until late 2025, companies were required to register based on their license issuance month throughout 2024. As a result, many are now past due and may face penalties. This guide will walk you through what changed, who’s affected, and what steps you need to take to stay compliant, whether you’re an independent freelancer, a Free Zone entity, or managing a large corporate office.

The update caught many off guard because earlier projections had businesses preparing for a late 2025 deadline. But as enforcement has begun in 2025, it’s clear that staying informed and acting quickly is now a top priority for every business operating in the UAE

Recent Policy Changes to Corporate Tax Registration

Initially, the FTA had planned the corporate tax registration deadline for around September 2025. However, this changed when the FTA introduced a staggered registration schedule based on the month of license issuance—not the year.

As a result, businesses and individuals were required to register between May and December 2024, depending on when their license was originally issued. If you waited until 2025, you're now considered late and may face a UAE corporate tax penalty.

You can verify updates and check official information on the Federal Tax Authority website.

What Happens If You Face a UAE Corporate Tax Penalty?

As of July 2025, the registration period has officially closed. Thousands of companies and individuals missed their assigned deadline, many due to misinformation or false assumptions about exemptions.

With the UAE Corporate Tax Reform 2025 now entirely in force, the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has started issuing fines to businesses that failed to register on time. These UAE corporate tax penalties start from AED 10,000 and can increase the longer you delay.

Delaying further may also lead to issues when renewing your trade license or continuing normal business operations. If you haven’t registered yet, now is the time to act—to avoid larger penalties and future legal or compliance risks.

2024 Corporate Tax Registration Deadlines (Now Enforced in 2025)

To help businesses and individuals understand their timeline, the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) rolled out a staggered corporate tax registration schedule in 2024, linking each deadline to the month the trade license was originally issued.

While these registration deadlines applied to 2024, we are now in 2025, and the UAE Corporate Tax Reform 2025 is in full effect. This means that penalties are actively being enforced for those who failed to register on time. If your business or activity missed the assigned window, you're now considered late and may face a UAE corporate tax penalty starting from AED 10,000.

Here’s a simplified version of the FTA’s official 2024 registration deadlines:

This staggered rollout was designed to give both businesses and individuals sufficient time to comply. However, waiting until the last minute wasn’t advisable—especially for companies operating from a free zone or corporate office, where approval and processing times can be longer.

Now, in 2025, the FTA has begun issuing fines and enforcing the UAE corporate tax penalty framework. Failing to register could result in long-term legal, financial, and operational risks under the UAE Corporate Tax Reform 2025.

If you think your business or activity is out of compliance, now is the time to act. Delaying further may not only increase penalties but also affect your trade license renewal, access to banking services, and overall business continuity.

Who Must Register for Corporate Tax?

Under the UAE Corporate Tax Reform 2025, the following entities must register:

• Businesses operating in the UAE mainland

• Free Zone companies (even if eligible for 0% tax)

• Freelancers and consultants with a valid trade license

• Natural persons (individuals) conducting business or commercial activity, including sole establishments or unincorporated partnerships, if their total turnover exceeded AED 1 million in a calendar year (starting 2024)

• Foreign companies doing business in the UAE

• Any business operating from a physical or virtual corporate office.

Steps to Register If You Haven’t Yet

Did you miss the deadline to register for corporate tax? Don’t worry—you can still get it done. But it’s better to act quickly. The longer you wait, the more likely you are to face fines. It’s easier to sort it out now before it causes bigger problems.

Here’s what you need to do:

• Go to https://eservices.tax.gov.ae and log in.

• Have your trade license, Emirates ID or passport, and business info ready.

• Fill out the form with the correct details carefully.

• Once it’s approved, you’ll get your Tax Registration Number (TRN).

Need help? We’ve created a simple, step-by-step guide to walk you through the whole process:

👉 How to Register for Corporate Tax in UAE: Step-by-Step (2025) 

Mistakes to Avoid in 2025

Many businesses and individuals are still at risk of penalties—not because they’re ignoring the law, but because they’ve misunderstood key parts of the process. As enforcement tightens in 2025, avoid these common mistakes:

• Believing the deadline is still in late 2025
  The FTA issued license-based deadlines in 2024. If you didn’t register within your assigned window, you’re already late and may face an AED 10,000 penalty.

• Assuming Free Zone companies are automatically exempt
  Even if you benefit from a 0% tax rate, registration is still mandatory under UAE corporate tax law.

• Thinking low revenue means no registration required
  If you’re a natural person (like a sole proprietor) and your 2024 turnover exceeded AED 1 million, you were required to register by 31 March 2025—regardless of your taxable profit.

• Relying on verbal advice or outdated information
  The law has evolved quickly. Always refer to official sources like the FTA website or consult licensed advisors.

• Waiting for reminders from the FTA
  The FTA does not send personalised deadline notifications. You are expected to know your registration window based on your license issuance month or turnover.

📌 Remember: Whether you’re a freelancer, Free Zone entity, or large corporation, the responsibility to comply is on you—and delays now come with real financial and legal consequences.

How RAS Corporate Advisors Can Support You

RAS Corporate Advisors is here to support you every step of the way. We’ll start by verifying your specific corporate tax registration deadline based on your original license issue date. Our team will then assist in preparing all required documents and completing the entire registration process through the EmaraTax portal.

Already got a UAE corporate tax penalty? Don’t worry—we’ll guide you through the appeal process and help you avoid further fines. Whether you run a small business or a large company, our tax experts offer support that fits your needs.

Don’t risk more fines or damage your business image.

Let our experts help you meet FTA requirements and stay ahead of corporate tax regulations in 2025 and beyond.

📞 Contact us today for corporate tax registration.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I still register in 2025 if I missed the deadline?
Yes, you can still register. However, be aware that the FTA may impose a UAE corporate tax penalty for delays. The sooner you complete the process, the better.

Are Free Zone businesses required to register?
Yes. Regardless of your tax rate or exemption status, registration is mandatory under the UAE Corporate Tax Reform 2025.

I earn less than AED 375,000. Do I still need to register?
Yes. Income level affects taxability, but not the requirement to register.

Where can I find authentic information about corporate tax updates?
You can find the latest news and updates about corporate tax on the official FTA portal.

Can RAS help if I already received a penalty?
Absolutely. We can guide you on appealing penalties, correcting your registration, and ensuring full compliance moving forward.

 

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