UAE Businesses Race to Meet September 30 Corporate Tax Deadline

UAE, 19 September, 2025:  With the September 30 deadline for filing corporate tax returns fast approaching, UAE companies are rushing to finalise records and ensure compliance. Missing the cut-off could lead to penalties, prompting an urgent push to reconcile statements and confirm eligibility for reliefs.

Tax experts stress the importance of aligning audited or management accounts with corporate tax rules, especially for entities crossing the AED 50 million revenue threshold and Qualifying Free Zone Persons (QFZPs). Transfer Pricing compliance remains a critical requirement, with related-party transactions needing arm’s length benchmarking and proper disclosure.

Advisors warn against last-minute errors, urging businesses to lock clean trial balances, reconcile VAT filings, and carry forward accurate opening balances. Companies are also reminded to retain supporting documentation and maintain screenshots of submissions on the EmaraTax portal, since returns cannot be downloaded after filing.

Bridging the gap between IFRS and tax requirements is another challenge. Experts note mismatches in provisions, revenue recognition, and depreciation, advising companies to adopt monthly tax-close processes and strengthen ERP reporting.

Technology is playing a growing role, with AI-powered compliance tools streamlining transfer pricing, reconciliations, and audit trails. Beyond the deadline, advisors encourage businesses to treat tax reporting as an ongoing strategic process, embedding compliance into operations to enhance transparency, efficiency, and resilience.