Corporate Tax Returns: 30 September 2026 is your deadline

By Consaya Editorial — 2026-10-05

The FTA has set 30 September 2026 as the hard deadline. If your year ran through to 31 December 2025, that's when your corporate tax return and full payment are due.

For companies in the UAE, corporate tax applies to annual profits above AED 375,000. It's charged at 9% on the taxable income above that threshold. The FTA doesn't negotiate on timing, and late payment carries penalties that compound quickly.

Getting the return filed on time means having your books in order before the deadline hits. You need complete records of income, allowable deductions, and any foreign-source income that might affect your UAE tax position. The FTA's announcement confirms the 30 September date and reminds all taxable persons that delays trigger enforcement action.

This isn't abstract compliance theatre. If you miss the deadline, the FTA can assess you on the basis of their own estimate, which rarely works in your favour. They can also issue penalties and take collection action. Neither is a conversation you want to have with your bank later.

The filing itself happens through UAEPass. Your accountant or tax agent can lodge it on your behalf, but someone needs to own the calendar on this one. Missing 30 September doesn't buy you a grace period.

None of that replaces your accountant's work, but it means you're not scrambling to find records in the final weeks.

Start pulling your numbers now if you haven't already. September gets busy.

Source: https://tax.gov.ae/en/media.centre/news/pr.2809.aspx