UAE registers over 500,000 entities for corporate tax and VAT

The UAE’s evolving tax ecosystem has surpassed a key milestone, with over 537,000 registered corporate taxpayers and more than 510,000 VAT registrants, according to the Federal Tax Authority (FTA).

The announcement came during a board meeting chaired by Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, and Chairman of the FTA. Held at the FTA headquarters in Dubai on April 29, the meeting reviewed the Authority’s first-quarter 2025 performance and strategic objectives for the coming months.

Sheikh Maktoum emphasized the importance of building a sustainable and globally competitive tax system. He was briefed on efforts to align the FTA’s work with the UAE’s vision for financial sustainability and innovation, including enhancements to technical, legislative, and procedural infrastructure.

Among the highlights:

• The number of excise tax registrants rose to 1,756.
• Registered tax agents reached 676.
• The FTA approved 1,656 refund applications from Emirati citizens who paid tax on the construction of their new homes, amounting to AED 148 million ($40.3 million) in reclaimed value.

The Authority also reported progress on implementing the Corporate Tax Law, including the rollout of services like registration, return filing, tax payments, and refunds. More than 56 awareness events were held to promote compliance, supported by updated guidelines and publications.

Ongoing enhancements to the EmaraTax platform remain a top priority in the FTA’s digitisation drive, aimed at making voluntary compliance faster and more user-friendly.

As the UAE continues to cement its position as a financial hub, these developments signal the country’s commitment to fostering a transparent, efficient, and internationally aligned tax framework.