A Memorandum of Association is the founding legal document of a UAE company, setting out ownership, share capital and governance terms with the relevant licensing authority. Key Takeaways The MOA is a statutory document, filed with the licensing authority, not a private agreement between shareholders. It covers ownership and share capital structure, naming shareholders and […]
An external audit in the UAE checks whether a company’s financial statements are accurate, and it is mandatory for most free zone companies and many mainland companies, not an optional extra. Key Takeaways Audit and accounting are different services. Accounting produces the financial records; auditing independently verifies them. Most free zones require the audit to […]
Who qualifies for UAE Small Business Relief, how to elect 0% Corporate Tax on revenue up to AED 3 million, and what the August 2026 extension to 2029 means.
When VAT deregistration is required in the UAE, the 20-business-day deadline, the penalty for missing it, and what obligations continue after deregistering.
Key Takeaways Renewal keeps you licensed, not necessarily optimal. Paying the fee continues your company for another year; it does not confirm that the activities, structure and setup you chose at the start still fit the business you run now. Check five things before you renew: your licensed activities, your company structure, the true year-on-year […]
Explore the latest UBO and AML compliance requirements in the UAE for 2025. Avoid penalties with this clear, updated business guide. Understanding the Connection Between UBO and AML UBO compliance plays a vital role in the UAE’s Anti-Money Laundering (AML) framework. The goal of both is to enhance corporate transparency and accountability. The Ultimate Beneficial […]
Here’s a roadmap of essential legal documents and their purposes (on a non-exhaustive basis) you need to stay compliant and protect your business at each growth stage. Legal Compliance for SMEs in the Middle East The Right Agreements at Every Stage of Business In a fast-paced, opportunity-rich business environment like the Middle East, entrepreneurs and […]
Introduction of VAT On January 1, 2018, the introduction of VAT brought in a new era of economic change in the taxation system in the UAE. Since then, the companies operating in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) have been subject to VAT provisions. With the establishment of VAT, the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has generated […]
Why implement ESR? On April 30, 2019, the UAE authorities enacted the Economic Substance Regulations (ESR) as a strong commitment to comply with the EU requirements of being removed from the EU’s list of “non-cooperative” tax jurisdictions. The government’s initiative to take this action highlights the nation’s strong efforts to protect companies against unsafe taxation […]
