Banking & tax
Corporate banking, tax and VAT.
Open a corporate bank account for your Dubai company, register for corporate tax and VAT, and understand the free zone tax rules, with help from our team.
- 0%corporate tax on qualifying free zone income
- 9%standard corporate tax rate
- 5%VAT rate in the UAE
- AED 375,000VAT registration threshold
Open a corporate bank account.
Once your trade license is issued, you can open a business account with a UAE bank. Banks run compliance checks on every new company, so a well-prepared application makes a difference. Banks usually ask for:
- Your trade license, certificate of incorporation and company documents
- Passports, visas and Emirates IDs of shareholders and signatories
- Proof of address and a business plan or company profile
- Your source of funds, expected transactions, and contracts or invoices if you have them
Our bank account assistance (AED 1,500) helps you prepare and apply. The bank makes the final decision.
Corporate tax for free zone companies.
UAE corporate tax applies to financial years starting on or after 1 June 2023. The standard rate is 9% on taxable income above AED 375,000.
A Qualifying Free Zone Person can pay 0% on qualifying income and 9% on other income. To qualify, among other conditions, your company must:
- Keep adequate substance in the free zone
- Keep non-qualifying revenue within the de minimis limit
- Prepare audited financial statements
- Follow the transfer pricing rules
- Not elect to be taxed at the standard rate
Every company must register with the Federal Tax Authority and file a yearly return. We can register your company for AED 1,200. For advice on your own situation, talk to a registered tax agent.
VAT registration.
VAT in the UAE is 5%. Registration is mandatory when your taxable supplies and imports pass AED 375,000 in 12 months, or are expected to in the next 30 days. You can register voluntarily from AED 187,500.
We can register your company for VAT for AED 1,500, and our bookkeeping service helps you keep your records ready for each return.
UAE tax at a glance.
| Tax | Rate | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate tax, standard | 0% and 9% | 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000, and 9% above it |
| Corporate tax, Qualifying Free Zone Person | 0% and 9% | 0% on qualifying income, and 9% on non-qualifying income |
| VAT | 5% | Mandatory registration above AED 375,000 of taxable supplies in 12 months; voluntary from AED 187,500 |
| Personal income tax | None | The UAE does not tax personal income from employment |
General information at the time of writing, not tax advice. Tax rules change, so check with the Federal Tax Authority or a registered tax agent.
Guides for your next step.
Banking & tax
How to open a corporate bank account in the UAE: documents and steps
The documents UAE banks usually ask for, how the KYC review works, how long it can take and how to prepare an application that moves smoothly.
Read moreBanking & tax
UAE corporate tax for free zone companies: what you need to know
Free zone companies are inside the UAE corporate tax system. Learn when 0% applies, the conditions to qualify, and how to register and file.
Read moreLicensing & costs
Business setup cost in Dubai: license, visa and extra fees explained
What a Dubai company costs in year one and after: license fees, multi-year savings, visa costs, optional extras and the yearly costs to plan for.
Read more
Banking and tax: FAQs.
A Qualifying Free Zone Person can pay 0% on qualifying income and 9% on other income. Every company must register for corporate tax and file a yearly return.
It varies by bank and by business, and often takes a few weeks while the bank completes its compliance checks.
No. Banks need your trade license and company documents before they can open an account.
VAT registration is mandatory once your taxable supplies and imports pass AED 375,000 in 12 months. You can register voluntarily from AED 187,500.
No. The UAE does not tax personal income from employment.
Start your business in Dubai today.
Tell us about your plans and a DHCC Free Zone business setup adviser will contact you.
- Talk to a real adviser
- Every fee explained upfront
- Help with activities, visas and banking
Thank you, there.
A DHCC Free Zone adviser will contact you on WhatsApp soon.
Your reference: