For businesses with a financial year ending December 31, 2025, your corporate tax return must be filed and any liability settled by September 30, 2026. Understanding the financial commitment is essential for managing your 2026 cash flow.
At STH Financial Services, we prioritize transparency. Here is the breakdown of what you should expect to spend this year.
1. Professional Service Fee Breakdown (2026 Estimates)
While registering through the EmaraTax portal is free of charge from the FTA, professional fees reflect the complexity of navigating IFRS-compliant books and the heightened risk of audits in 2026.
| Service Category | 2026 Price Range (AED) |
| Corporate Tax Registration | 500 – 2,000 |
| Standard Corporate Tax Filing | 1,000 – 7,500+ |
| Zero-Turnover/Dormant Filing | Near 750 |
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Registration: A one-time fee to secure your Tax Registration Number (TRN). Newly incorporated entities in 2026 must typically register within 3 months of establishment.
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Standard Filing: Covers the annual preparation and submission of your tax return based on your 2025 financial performance.
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Zero-Turnover Filing: Even if your business had no activity in 2025, you must still file a “nil return” to remain compliant with the FTA.
2. Tax Liability Thresholds
The cost of filing is separate from the actual tax you may owe to the UAE government:
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0% Tax Rate: Applies to taxable income up to AED 375,000.
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9% Tax Rate: Applied to taxable income exceeding AED 375,000.
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Small Business Relief (SBR): 2026 is the final year currently scheduled for SBR. Businesses with gross revenue below AED 3 million can elect for SBR to treat their taxable income as zero for this period.
3. Avoiding the “Late Compliance” Penalty
In 2026, the FTA is moving toward a risk-based audit approach. Missing a deadline is the most expensive way to handle your taxes:
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Late Registration: A flat AED 10,000 penalty for failing to register within the specified timeframe.
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Late Filing: AED 500 for the first 12 month, increasing to AED 1,000 from 13th to subsequent months.
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Late Payment: Starting April 14, 2026, the late payment penalty is simplified to a flat 14% per annum, calculated monthly on the unsettled amount.
4. Special Deadline for Natural Persons (Individuals)
If you are a freelancer or sole trader whose turnover exceeded AED 1 million in 2025, you must register for corporate tax by March 31, 2026. Missing this deadline triggers the standard AED 10,000 late registration fine.
Personal Insight from the STH Perspective
As we enter the 2026 cycle, our primary observation is that “cheap” filing often leads to expensive audits. The FTA has introduced stricter rules regarding input-tax and audit powers effective January 1, 2026. A professional filing in 2026 isn’t just about submitting a form; it’s about building a defensible record of your financial year that stands up to regulatory scrutiny.
Ready to Secure Your 2026 Compliance?
Don’t wait for the September rush. Whether you are claiming Small Business Relief for the final time or preparing a complex multi-branch filing, STH Financial Services offers fixed-price, transparent solutions.
Contact STH Financial Services today for a custom 2026 quote. Let our experts secure your 0% status and keep your business penalty-free.
