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Operating a business in the UAE means adhering to numerous regulations. There are separate rules for taxes, company law, labour law, social security, and free zones. Each regulation has its own filing deadlines. This can be difficult to remember. So, an annual compliance calendar in the United Arab Emirates is essential.
This calendar is useful for CFOs, compliance officers, HR heads, and business owners. It helps to track all the important tasks for the entire year in advance.
But it can lead to major problems if you miss deadlines. Penalties may be imposed, and audit notices may be issued. In some cases, even business licenses can be suspended.
A good compliance calendar keeps the business compliant with regulations and helps build trust in the business. So read this article to learn more about the compliances post company registration in UAE in detail and avoid any errors.
Compliance regulations in the UAE are mainly of two types. One type of regulation is federal law, which is uniform throughout the country. The other type of regulation varies according to the specific emirate or free zone.
The rules for mainland companies and Free Zone companies are not the same. Free zones have their own authorities. But taxes and some important laws apply to everyone.
Several important government agencies oversee compliance in the UAE. For example:
Here, some compliance tasks are for performing regularly at specific times. While some others must be completed immediately upon any change. So, it is important to remember and track all deadlines accurately.
Direct tax compliance in the UAE is important for doing business. It is mandatory to file regular returns and pay taxes on time. In addition, Economic Substance Regulations (ESR) and Country-by-Country Reporting (CbCR) have created separate responsibilities for large group companies.
Most of these compliances have a limited time to file. However, some tasks need to be completed immediately after a change. So, it is important to know the correct dates and prepare in advance.
Indirect taxes in the UAE are mainly of two types: VAT and Excise Tax. VAT is the most common compliance for most businesses. And its returns can be monthly or quarterly. Penalties are imposed for filing returns or making payments after the specified dates.
Excise tax is generally applicable to specific goods. Its filing and payment are done monthly.
Errors or delays increase financial risk for both VAT and excise. So, regular tracking is very important.
Stay on track with your statutory obligations using a structured Annual Compliance Calendar for UAE businesses.
It is important to follow Social Security and pension regulations when UAE nationals are employed in the UAE. This responsibility is handled by the General Pension and Social Security Authority (GPSSA). It is mandatory to submit contributions on time and update the necessary information for employers.
The HR and payroll teams handle these compliances. It is necessary to keep track of monthly and event-based tasks to avoid penalties.
If you have employees in the UAE, you must follow some labour laws. MOHRE looks after the employer’s responsibility.
In organizations where 50 or more employees work, medical information about the employees has to be submitted once every three months. It is also very important to renew the employees’ visas on time. If the visa expires, the employee cannot work. This causes problems for the company.
If an employee leaves the job or is dismissed, the End of Service Benefits have to be paid. If these things are not done on time, there is a risk of complaints or fines.
If there is foreign investment in the UAE, some additional rules have to be followed. The Ministry of Economy looks after these issues.
It is mandatory to appoint a licensed auditor every year. The government has to be informed when the business is starting. This information has to be provided within a very short time.
These compliances may seem simple, but they are very important for running a business. Even small mistakes can create big complications.
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It is mandatory for UAE Mainland companies to follow some corporate rules. These rules come under the DED and the Federal Companies Act.
An Annual General Meeting has to be held every year. The meeting needs to be completed within four months of the end of the financial year. Financial accounts and audit reports also need to be prepared within the same period.
Board meetings need to be held regularly. Usually, the board meets at least four times a year. If the ownership of the company or UBO changes, it must be reported within a certain period. Any changes in the MOA must be reported. There are also separate deadlines for increasing or decreasing share capital.
Some rules are different in the case of LLC and Public Joint Stock Company. For example, decisions regarding shareholders or partners have to be made according to more rules. Therefore, it is important to make a compliance plan based on the type of company.
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UAE Free Zones have slightly different rules for doing business. In large Free Zones like DMCC and JAFZA, compliance must be followed very precisely. Missing deadlines can result in fines or license suspension.
DMCC companies are required to hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) every year. This meeting must generally be completed within 12 months. Submitting audited financial reports is also mandatory. This must be done within 6 months of the end of the financial year.
DMCC must be notified of any changes in company directors or managers. This update should not be delayed. In many cases, license changes can be updated on the same day.
AGMs are also mandatory for JAFZA companies. Here too, the meeting must be held once every 12 months. Audited financial statements are usually required to be submitted within the financial year.
Changes such as increasing or decreasing share capital require filing within a specific timeframe. Therefore, knowing the Free Zone rules in advance makes compliance easier.
It is mandatory to renew licenses on time in the UAE. Failure to do so can lead to business closure. Therefore, this needs to be considered carefully.
Trade, service, or industrial licenses usually need to be renewed annually. Renewing the license before its expiry date is the safest option. Customs registration also needs to be renewed annually. This must be done within 60 days of expiry in most cases.
Any amendments to Free Zone licenses require application within a specific timeframe. Delays may result in additional charges or problems with approval.
Compliance is an integral part of business security in the UAE. Failure to comply with regulations on time can lead to fines, license suspension, or legal issues.
Many companies make the mistake of managing compliance from different sources, leading to missed deadlines and disorganization.
A professional compliance partner reduces this risk. All filings can be managed from a single platform, following a specific calendar. This keeps your business running smoothly.
Enterslice provides end-to-end compliance management for businesses across the UAE. Taxation, corporate filings, labour laws, and Free Zone regulations, everything is handled together.
Enterslice helps keep your business compliant, audit-ready, and penalty-free throughout the year. Our experienced team handles all legal matters in a hassle-free way.
An annual compliance calendar in the UAE is a specific schedule. This outlines all the legal filing and reporting deadlines for a company. This includes deadlines for tax returns, license renewals, audit reports, VAT filings, and more. It helps businesses complete tasks on time and helps to reduce penalties and legal risks.
All businesses registered in the UAE are required to follow the compliance calendar. This applies to all types of companies: Mainland, Free Zone, and Offshore. The rules apply to large corporations, SMEs, and startups alike. Compliance requirements are mandatory for everyone. This is crucial for legal security.
Yes, some rules are different for Free Zone companies. For example, DMCC or JAFZA have separate filing and reporting requirements. However, some compliance requirements, such as VAT, Corporate Tax, or ESR, are the same everywhere. Free Zone authorities set their own deadlines. So, Free Zone companies need to follow their specific regulations.
It can result in penalties for missing deadlines in the UAE. License suspension can be possible in some cases. A business can lose its credibility for repeated delays and create problems with banks or investors. So, it is important for timely filing.
VAT returns are usually filed monthly or quarterly. This depends on the company's turnover. Businesses with high turnover file monthly, while small to medium-sized businesses may file quarterly. Each return has a specific deadline. Failure to file and pay on time results in penalties.
In the UAE, Corporate Tax filing is mandatory for most businesses. Exemptions may be applicable for some Free Zone companies. But some tasks need to be completed immediately after a change. So, it is important to understand the corporate tax rules.
Event-based compliance occurs when a change takes place. It can be a change in directors, share capital modification, license amendment, or change of address. The authorities must be notified within a specific timeframe. These compliances also help to avoid penalties.
There are some exemptions or simplified rules for SMEs and startups. For example, the reporting frequency or fees might be lower. But VAT, Corporate Tax, and license renewal apply to everyone. It is also applicable for small businesses.
Tracking multiple deadlines can be challenging. A structured compliance calendar is necessary for this. Many companies use Excel or software. Others seek the help of professional firms. This keeps all deadlines in one place. These help to complete the work on time and reduce errors.
Enterslice provides end-to-end compliance support in the UAE. Tax filing, corporate filing, labour laws, and Free Zone regulations are all managed together. These calendars help to complete the work on time and decrease the chances of missing deadlines. This keeps the business hassle-free and secure. Enterslice helps companies remain compliant throughout the year.
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