Digital Record-Keeping Standards FTA are now a cornerstone of tax compliance under the new tax law, reshaping how businesses document, store, and present financial information. With tax authorities worldwide accelerating their shift toward digital audits and real-time data verification, the UAE has followed suit by strengthening compliance expectations through its updated tax framework. Businesses operating …
Author: Fatima Ali
Fatima Ali
Fatima Ali is a senior accounting consultant specialising in IFRS-based bookkeeping, financial statement preparation and audit-ready records for UAE SMEs.
Tax Ready Scaling for UAE SMEs is not a thing to look forward to any further--it is a current need, because an increasing number of businesses around the Emirates are being propelled to the AED 50 million revenue threshold. Growth on this scale is exhilarating, it also brings a new tax compliance and financial dimension that …
The UAE businesses are increasing their corporate tax audit risks following the second year of the CT filing period that ended on September 30, 2025, when the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) transitioned to data-driven enforcement. The 2026 amendments have increased audit powers on SMEs and larger firms, such as reviewing beyond the standard limit on …
Cash Flow Forecasting for UAE SMEs Cash Flow Forecasting for UAE SMEs in 2026 is critical, especially with the deadline for corporate tax returns on September 30 for calendar-year accounts and VAT changes making compliance more difficult. As the federal budget increases by 29.2% to AED 92.4 billion, with SMEs’ budgets rising, it is crucial …
UAE VAT E-Invoicing 2026 The UAE’s move to mandatory e-invoicing in 2026 marks a pivotal shift in tax compliance and business operations across the country. For VAT-registered businesses, this isn’t just a policy update — it’s a systems and process transformation that demands planning, software readiness, and careful change management. This article explains the mandatory …
FTA Audit Checklist 2026 FTA Audit Checklist 2026 is now one of the most critical compliance topics for UAE businesses as tax enforcement enters a far more structured and data-driven phase. With the expansion of Corporate Tax, tighter VAT controls, and enhanced digital reporting requirements, the Federal Tax Authority has significantly upgraded how audits are …
Tax Refunds for New Homes in the UAE AED 646 million tax refunds UAE citizens 2025 marks one of the most impactful housing-related fiscal initiatives announced in the United Arab Emirates in recent years. This landmark move, which benefits more than 7,200 UAE citizens constructing new homes, highlights the government’s long-term commitment to social stability, …
Introduction to Audit Trail for FTA Reviews Audit Trail for FTA Reviews is one of the most critical compliance requirements for businesses operating in the UAE under VAT, Excise Tax, and Corporate Tax laws. With the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) increasing audits, desk reviews, and clarification requests, businesses must ensure every accounting entry is supported …
Introduction to Pre-Audit Reviews Pre-Audit Reviews are a proactive way for businesses to identify weaknesses in accounting, VAT, and corporate tax compliance before they turn into costly audit issues. In today’s complex regulatory environment, companies can no longer afford to wait for statutory audits or tax authority inspections to discover errors. A structured pre-audit review …
Introduction to Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax UAE Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT) in the UAE is becoming a critical topic for SME groups as the country aligns with the OECD’s global minimum tax framework ahead of 2026. While much of the early discussion has focused on large multinationals, SME groups operating across borders or within …
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