Advisory Journal
UAE rules change fast: FTA rulings, corporate tax clarifications, VAT treatment, visa criteria, free zone announcements. The Journal tracks what changed, who it affects and what to do about it, as the news breaks.
- 3 min readcomplianceshort term rentalslicensing
Abu Dhabi Holiday Home Operators Must Display Licence Numbers on All Online Listings
Abu Dhabi has mandated licence number display on all short-term rental listings, raising the compliance bar for holiday home operators.
Read the analysis - 3 min readfree zonescompany formationcompliance
AB Capital's 1,400-Formation Milestone Signals Crowded UAE Free Zone Market
A UAE free zone agent's growth figures highlight rising competition and due-diligence questions for businesses choosing a formation partner.
Read the analysis - 3 min readgolden visavisa immigrationtalent retention
Dubai extends Golden Visa eligibility to teachers, raising the stakes for employer-sponsored talent retention
Dubai has opened the Golden Visa to qualifying teachers, reshaping how businesses compete for and retain skilled educational and professional staff.
Read the analysis - 3 min readcorporate taxtransfer pricingcompliance
UAE Multinationals Face Imminent Pillar Two Compliance Deadline
The UAE has clarified its Pillar Two top-up tax rules as the first filing deadline approaches for large multinational groups.
Read the analysis - 3 min readcorporate taxcompliancetransfer pricing
UAE's Top-Up Tax Guide Arrives: What Multinationals Must Do Before the Registration Deadline
The FTA has published its scope-and-registration guide for the 15% Multinational Top-Up Tax, with a compliance deadline imminent.
Read the analysis - 3 min readvatcomplianceemployee expenses
UAE Businesses Can Now Recover VAT on Six Categories of Employee Expenses
A rule change allows UAE businesses to reclaim input VAT on six employee expense types previously blocked from recovery.
Read the analysis - 3 min readcorporate taxfree zonescompliance
UAE Free Zone 0% Tax Qualification: What the Rules Actually Require
Free zone companies risk losing their 0% corporate tax rate if they fail to meet the Qualifying Free Zone Person criteria.
Read the analysis - 3 min readcorporate taxcompliancefree zones
UAE Corporate Tax Returns: The September 30 Deadline Has Passed and What Comes Next
The first major CT filing deadline has landed. Here is what UAE businesses need to understand about their obligations and exposure.
Read the analysis - 3 min readvatcomplianceemployee expenses
UAE's input VAT recovery rules for employee expenses: what the FTA expects now
Updated FTA guidance tightens the conditions under which businesses can reclaim VAT on staff costs, affecting most UAE employers.
Read the analysis - 3 min readvate invoicingcompliance
UAE VAT overhaul and e-invoicing deadline: what changes on 1 October and 30 October 2026
New UAE VAT recovery rules take effect 1 October, and mandatory e-invoicing goes live 30 October. Here is what both mean in practice.
Read the analysis - 3 min readvatcompliancee invoicing
UAE VAT Rule Changes Take Effect: What Business Owners Must Address Now
Major amendments to UAE VAT regulations came into force this week, with the Federal Tax Authority urging businesses to prepare.
Read the analysis - 3 min readcorporate taxcompliancevat
UAE Corporate Tax Returns Due 30 September: What the Deadline Means for 2025 Filers
The FTA's 30 September 2026 deadline for corporate tax returns and payments covering the 2025 financial year is two days away.
Read the analysis - 3 min readvatcompliancetax administration
UAE VAT Administration Is Tightening: What the 2026 Rule Changes Signal for Business Owners
The UAE's latest VAT rule changes point to stricter enforcement and administrative shifts every registered business needs to understand.
Read the analysis - 3 min readcorporate taxtax residencycompliance
Tax Treaty Tie-Breaker Rules Explained: What UAE-Based Business Owners Must Understand
IMI Daily sets out the sequential tie-breaker tests that determine tax residency when two countries claim the same individual or entity.
Read the analysis - 3 min readcorporate taxcompliancetransfer pricing
UAE Corporate Tax Moves into Its Enforcement Phase: What Business Owners Must Prepare For
The UAE's corporate tax regime is shifting from implementation to active enforcement, raising the compliance stakes for every taxable entity.
Read the analysis - 3 min readvatcompliancetax
Cabinet Decision No. 149 of 2026 Rewrites UAE VAT Executive Regulation
A September 2026 cabinet decision amends the UAE VAT Executive Regulation, altering rules that affect most registered businesses.
Read the analysis - 3 min readcorporate taxcompliancetransfer pricing
UAE Top-up Tax: New Filing Rules and Guides Take Effect for Multinationals
The UAE has published Top-up Tax filing guidance and a formal Cabinet Decision, tightening Pillar Two compliance obligations for large groups.
Read the analysis - 3 min readvatcompliancecorporate tax
UAE input VAT credit rules tighten: supplier due diligence becomes a compliance obligation
New UAE guidance links input VAT recovery to verified supplier standing, raising the compliance bar for all VAT-registered businesses.
Read the analysis - 3 min readcorporate taxcompliancetax filing
UAE Corporate Tax: The 30 September Filing Deadline Every Business Must Meet
Businesses subject to UAE corporate tax face a 30 September 2026 deadline to file 2025 returns, with penalties for late submission.
Read the analysis - 3 min readexcise taxcompliancevat
UAE moves to abolish excise tax on select goods from 21 September 2026
The UAE is set to remove excise tax on certain categories from 21 September, with direct implications for affected businesses' compliance calendars.
Read the analysis - 3 min readvatcompliancecash payments
UAE VAT rules tighten around large cash transactions: what businesses must understand now
New UAE VAT guidance raises the compliance cost of large cash payments, affecting how businesses document and report transactions.
Read the analysis - 3 min readvatcompliancetax
UAE VAT Rule Changes 2026: What the Ministry's Amendments Mean for Your Business
The UAE Ministry of Finance has announced VAT rule changes that affect invoicing, input tax recovery and compliance timelines for businesses.
Read the analysis - 3 min readcorporate taxcompliancefta
UAE Corporate Tax: The 40-Day Window to Challenge an FTA Assessment
Business owners facing FTA corporate tax assessments have 40 days to file a reconsideration request. Missing it closes most routes to appeal.
Read the analysis - 3 min readvate invoicingcompliance
UAE VAT overhaul takes effect 1 October: e-invoicing, crypto rules and tighter compliance all land at once
Three interlocking VAT changes go live on 1 October 2026, touching invoicing systems, digital-asset payments and audit exposure.
Read the analysis - 3 min readcorporate taxcompliancetransfer pricing
UAE Corporate Tax Filing Deadline: What the September 30 Cutoff Means for Your Business
UAE businesses with a December 2025 financial year-end face a September 30 corporate tax filing deadline, with fines reaching thousands of dirhams for non-compliance.
Read the analysis - 3 min readvatcryptocurrencycompliance
UAE tightens VAT rules for crypto payments: what the new conversion requirements mean for your books
The UAE has issued formal VAT guidance on cryptocurrency payments, setting mandatory conversion and reporting rules for businesses.
Read the analysis - 3 min readvatcompliancetax
UAE tightens VAT input tax rules: what the new verification requirements mean for your business
The FTA's new decision on input tax deduction verification takes effect imminently, raising the compliance bar for all VAT-registered businesses.
Read the analysis - 3 min readvatcryptocompliance
UAE mandates dirham conversion rules for crypto VAT from 1 October 2026
FTA Decision No. 13 of 2026 sets the method for converting cryptocurrency payments to dirhams for VAT purposes, effective 1 October 2026.
Read the analysis - 3 min readcorporate taxfree zonestransfer pricing
UAE's 15% Global Minimum Tax: What Free Zone Companies Must Do Before the Clock Runs Out
The UAE's QDMTT regime means free zone entities in large MNC groups may owe a 15% top-up tax, ending a long-held structural advantage.
Read the analysis - 3 min readcorporate taxtransfer pricingcompliance
Indian multinationals face November deadline to comply with UAE's 15% global minimum tax
Indian-owned UAE entities must align with Pillar Two top-up tax rules by November 2026 or risk exposure to back-taxation in India.
Read the analysis - 3 min readcorporate taxcomplianceannual compliance
FTA's September 30 Corporate Tax Filing Deadline: What Every UAE Business Must Do Now
The Federal Tax Authority has reminded all taxable persons that corporate tax returns for financial years ending 31 December 2025 are due by 30 September 2026.
Read the analysis - 3 min readubo complianceaml compliancecorporate governance
UAE UBO Rules Tightened: What the 15-Day Reporting Window Means for Your Company
UAE companies must now update beneficial ownership registers within 15 days of any change, raising the compliance bar for all onshore entities.
Read the analysis - 3 min readcorporate taxvatcompliance
UAE's New Tax Takes Effect Today: What Business Owners Need to Know
A new UAE tax regime comes into force on 1 September 2026, with direct implications for compliance obligations across mainland and free zone businesses.
Read the analysis - 3 min readvatcompliancetax
UAE Input VAT Verification Rules Take Effect October 2026: What Changes for Registered Businesses
New UAE input VAT verification requirements come into force in October 2026, tightening how businesses substantiate deductible VAT claims.
Read the analysis - 3 min readvatcomplianceaudit
UAE Tax Authority Can Now Access Your Accounting Systems Directly During Audits
The FTA's new electronic record-access powers take effect immediately, changing how VAT audits are conducted for all UAE businesses.
Read the analysis - 3 min readvatcompliancetax
UAE tightens input VAT recovery rules: what the new due diligence decision means for your business
A new UAE decision adds supplier due diligence obligations to input VAT recovery, raising the compliance bar for all VAT-registered businesses.
Read the analysis - 3 min readcorporate taxtransfer pricingcompliance
UAE Pillar Two top-up tax regulation arrives: what multinationals must do before year-end
The UAE has issued its Pillar Two top-up tax regulation, adding new filing obligations for large multinationals operating in the country.
Read the analysis - 3 min readvatcompliancetax policy
FTA Decision No. 13 of 2026: VAT input tax deductions now require supplier verification
The FTA has tightened VAT input tax recovery rules, requiring businesses to verify suppliers and supplies before claiming deductions.
Read the analysis - 3 min readcorporate taxcompliancesmall business
UAE Small Business Corporate Tax Relief Extended to End of 2029
The UAE has extended its small business corporate tax relief scheme through 2029, giving qualifying companies three more years of simplified compliance.
Read the analysis - 3 min readcorporate taxtransfer pricingcompliance
UAE Advance Pricing Agreements Give Businesses a Tax Certainty Tool Worth Using
The UAE's new APA framework lets companies lock in transfer pricing terms with the FTA before disputes arise.
Read the analysis - 3 min readvatcompliancetax
UAE mandates VAT supplier and supply verification checks: what every registered business must now do
The UAE has introduced compulsory VAT verification checks on suppliers and supplies, tightening compliance obligations for all registered businesses.
Read the analysis - 3 min readvatcompliancetax
UAE mandates VAT supplier and supply verification checks from October 2026
New VAT verification rules take effect 1 October 2026, requiring businesses to confirm supplier registration and supply legitimacy before reclaiming input tax.
Read the analysis - 3 min readvate invoicingcompliance
UAE E-Invoicing Goes Live: What the New Implementation Rules Mean for Your Business
The UAE's updated e-invoicing framework sets mandatory timelines and accreditation rules that every VAT-registered business must now plan for.
Read the analysis - 3 min readvatcompliancecorporate tax
UAE E-Invoicing Mandate Gains Momentum as Tax Star Closes $1.75m Seed Round
A funded e-invoicing platform signals that the UAE's mandatory electronic invoicing regime is moving from policy to operational reality for businesses.
Read the analysis - 3 min readcorporate taxcompliancesmall business
UAE Small Business Relief Extended to 2029: What Corporate Tax Filers Must Do Now
The UAE has extended its Small Business Relief corporate tax exemption to 2029, reshaping compliance obligations for sub-AED 3m revenue businesses.
Read the analysis - 3 min readexcise taxcompliancetax enforcement
UAE Tax Inspections Surge 21% as 8.45 Million Non-Compliant Products Are Seized
The FTA's intensified enforcement drive signals tighter scrutiny for importers, distributors and retailers handling excise goods.
Read the analysis - 3 min readcorporate taxcompliancesmall business relief
FTA Tightens Small Business Relief Rules as Corporate Tax Return Deadlines Approach
The FTA has clarified SBR eligibility and compliance conditions, affecting every UAE business earning under AED 3 million.
Read the analysis - 3 min readcorporate taxcompliancepillar two
UAE Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax: Registration Requirements Now Published
The UAE has released formal registration requirements for the 15% domestic minimum top-up tax, with deadlines businesses must now act on.
Read the analysis - 3 min readcompliancecorporate governanceannual compliance
UAE Listed and Joint-Stock Firms Faced Dh10 Million AGM Fines: What the Deadline Means for Private Companies Too
UAE regulators set a June 30 AGM deadline for listed and private joint-stock firms, with fines reaching Dh10 million for non-compliance.
Read the analysis - 3 min readcorporate taxcompliancesmall business relief
UAE Corporate Tax Filing Deadline Pressure Mounts as FTA Tightens Small Business Relief Rules
The FTA has clarified Small Business Relief eligibility ahead of the corporate tax return deadline, with penalties for late filers looming.
Read the analysis - 3 min readvate invoicingcompliance
UAE e-invoicing mandatory phase opens January 2027: what every VAT-registered business must prepare now
The FTA's phased e-invoicing mandate begins January 2027, with a voluntary pilot already open. Deadlines and technical obligations explained.
Read the analysis - 2 min readlogisticsindustrial real estateexpansion
Talal Group's AED 150 Million Distribution Centre Signals Logistics Confidence in Dubai Industrial City
A major warehousing investment at Dubai Industrial City points to sustained operator demand for last-mile infrastructure in the zone.
Read the analysis - 3 min readfree zonesinternational expansionsme support
Sharjah Publishing City: International Congress win, India corridor, and SME support drive in mid-2026
SPC Free Zone secures the 2028 International Publishers Congress and expands India–UAE publishing ties, with fresh SME support on offer.
Read the analysis - 3 min readfree zoneshealthcareexpansion
Sharjah Healthcare City: Aster's Clinic Push and Sharjah's Child-Friendly Status Reshape the Operating Context
Aster targets 100+ UAE clinics by 2030 while Sharjah renews its Child-Friendly City status, signalling demand shifts at SHCC.
Read the analysis - 3 min readfree zoneslicensingbusiness setup
SHAMS in 2026: What the Free Zone Positioning Debate Means for Operators
A review of SHAMS's place in the UAE free zone landscape as entrepreneur confidence data and zone commentary surfaces in mid-2026.
Read the analysis - 3 min readfree zonesworkers welfareindustrial
RAKEZ in Mid-2026: Worker Welfare Obligations, Industrial Arrivals and a Push for Global Ties
RAKEZ introduces a worker welfare framework, signs industrial agreements and expands delegation activity. What operators need to know.
Read the analysis - 3 min readfree zonesbusiness formationentrepreneurship
Meydan Free Zone Positions Itself for a New Wave of Entrepreneurs: What Operators Should Know
Recent coverage points to growing momentum at Meydan Free Zone as business formation activity picks up across UAE free zones in mid-2026.
Read the analysis - 3 min readfree zonessme developmentinvestment events
KEZAD Commits $31m to SME Infrastructure and Courts Global Investors with Touchdown Middle East
KEZAD launches a $30.5m SME Hub and hosts Touchdown Middle East 2026, signalling renewed focus on smaller businesses and foreign capital.
Read the analysis - 4 min readfree zoneslogisticssustainability
JAFZA in mid-2026: new logistics infrastructure, a regulatory agreement and a net-zero milestone
Three months of infrastructure groundbreakings, a sustainability certification and a new RTA compliance framework reshape JAFZA's operating environment.
Read the analysis - 2 min readfree zonesmanufacturinginternational expansion
Hamriyah Free Zone Attracts Indian Heavy Industry as Confidence in UAE Free Zones Holds
Shyam Steel Group opens a non-ferrous metals recycling unit at HFZA, marking its first international manufacturing base outside India.
Read the analysis - 3 min readgold and diamond parkjewellery marketfree zones
Gold & Diamond Park: What a Dh300,000 Diamond Lego Trophy and Regional Market Forecasts Mean for Businesses in the Zone
A Dubai jeweller's record-breaking diamond Lego commission and a bullish regional market outlook put Gold & Diamond Park in sharper focus.
Read the analysis - 3 min readinfrastructuretrade logisticsfree zones
Fujairah Free Zone and the DP World Port Concession: What the 50-Year Deal Means for Businesses
DP World's 50-year concession to build two Fujairah container ports reshapes trade infrastructure for FFZ operators and prospective investors.
Read the analysis - 3 min readexcise taxcomplianceenforcement
FTA and Dubai Police seize 3.58 million excise goods packages: what the enforcement surge means for importers and retailers
A joint FTA-Dubai Police operation seized 3.58 million non-compliant excise goods in six months, signalling sharply elevated enforcement risk.
Read the analysis - 3 min readfree zonescrypto licensinglegal services
DWTC Free Zone in Focus: Crypto Licensing, Legal Expansion and What Operators Need to Know
A round-up of developments affecting DWTC Free Zone licensees, from crypto exchange activity to international law firm growth in the UAE.
Read the analysis - 3 min readfree zonesinfrastructurelicensing
Dubai South Free Zone: Sky Support Complex nears completion as Al Maktoum expansion reframes the zone's long-term position
Construction milestones, a AED 128bn airport expansion and licensing developments reshape the outlook for Dubai South operators.
Read the analysis - 3 min readfree zonesmanufacturingtech ecosystem
Dubai Silicon Oasis: Manufacturing Expansion, a New Partnership and the Doers Summit in November
KERNO opens DSO's first IT hardware plant, DIEZ partners with noon Minutes, and the Doers Summit returns in November 2026.
Read the analysis - 2 min readfree zonesbusiness environmenthospitality
Dubai Media City Briefing: What Recent Activity Around the Zone Tells Operators
A look at what recent news around Dubai Media City signals for businesses based in or considering the free zone.
Read the analysis - 3 min readreal estatemaritime industryconstruction
Dubai Maritime City in Mid-2026: Construction Milestones, New Inventory and What Operators Should Watch
DAMAC tops out two towers, launches a final Chelsea Residences phase, and Grandweld wins an offshore vessel contract at Dubai Maritime City.
Read the analysis - 3 min readfree zonesexecutive educationtraining providers
Dubai Knowledge Park Sees Leadership and Programme Shifts as Training Providers Recalibrate for 2026
Two Dubai Knowledge Park tenants signal strategic moves: LEORON names a new regional CEO and North Land launches a Canadian higher-education offering.
Read the analysis - 3 min readfree zoneshigher educationtalent pipeline
Dubai International Academic City: Scholarship Pressures, Sector Growth and What Operators Need to Watch
A round-up of recent developments at Dubai International Academic City and what they mean for businesses operating in the zone.
Read the analysis - 3 min readfree zonescybersecurityblockchain
DMCC Adds Cybersecurity Hub, Tether Partnership and Family Office Tools: What Members Need to Know
DMCC's mid-2026 moves, from a cybersecurity hub to blockchain education and a new wealth platform, signal a broadening strategic focus.
Read the analysis - 3 min readfree zonesexpansionlicensing
DIFC Crosses 10,000 Companies and Shifts Its Pitch to Global Finance
DIFC hit a 10,000-company milestone in H1 2026, while its CEO signalled that incentives alone no longer win international finance business.
Read the analysis - 2 min readexpansionfree zonesurban planning
d3 in Context: Emaar's Dh200 Billion Masterplan and What It Signals for Dubai Design District Tenants
Emaar's Dh200bn Dubai masterplan and a Canadian University Dubai design project shape the outlook for d3 occupiers in mid-2026.
Read the analysis - 3 min readfree zoneslicensingsme strategy
Ajman Media City Free Zone in 2026: Licensing Landscape, SME Positioning and What Operators Should Know
A briefing on Ajman Media City Free Zone's current positioning for entrepreneurs and operators considering or already active in the zone.
Read the analysis - 3 min readfree zonesexpansioninfrastructure
Ajman Free Zone pursues secondary Indian cities and Chinese markets while Ajman's Dh1.8 billion urban plan takes shape
AFZ is targeting new geographies for company formation as Ajman commits Dh1.8bn to 30 infrastructure projects across the emirate.
Read the analysis - 3 min readregulationdigital assetsreal estate
ADGM Tightens Financial Crime Focus, Expands Digital Asset Scope and Introduces Broker Rankings
ADGM's regulator signals sharper scrutiny on financial crime and resilience, while new digital asset and property frameworks take effect.
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