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Simplifying UAE business and tax for every SME

UAE Market Update · 2026-09-28 · Hosted by Aisha

UAE Business & Accounting Briefing: September 28, 2026 — Corporate Tax Deadline Looms

Today's UAE Business Snapshot

Good morning, UAE. This is Aisha from the Techzon Business Desk with your daily briefing for Monday, September 28, 2026. The dominant story across the Emirates today is the fast-approaching September 30 deadline for filing and paying corporate tax returns for the 2025 tax period. The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has reiterated its call for all taxable businesses to submit their returns and settle liabilities, with just two days remaining.

In other news, regional SME development is in focus as Jordan's JEDCO studies Omani digital models to boost small business growth. Meanwhile, global economic shifts—from Thailand's K-shaped recovery to India's surging consumer durables market—signal changing trade dynamics that could impact UAE trading hubs. Closer to home, Abu Dhabi's hospitality sector continues to expand, with a new master's program driving a 10% enrollment increase. And in a display of global humanitarian commitment, the UAE has allocated $10 million to support Ebola response efforts.

Accounting, VAT & Tax Watch

The clock is ticking for UAE businesses. The corporate tax return and payment deadline for the 2025 tax year is September 30, 2026. This applies to all juridical persons with a financial year ending December 31, 2025. The FTA has been clear: late filings and payments will attract penalties. For many SMEs, free zone entities, and mainland companies, this is the first full cycle of corporate tax compliance, and the pressure is real.

Key points to remember:

Filing is mandatory for all taxable persons, even if you have no taxable income or are claiming exemptions.
Free zone businesses must assess whether they qualify for the 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income. The conditions are strict—failure to meet them means a 9% tax rate on all income.
Mainland entities are subject to the standard 9% rate on taxable income above AED 375,000.
VAT compliance remains ongoing. Ensure your VAT returns are up to date, as corporate tax filings often trigger closer scrutiny of your overall tax health.

Separately, the FTA is also reminding businesses about the upcoming e-invoicing mandate (PINT AE), though full enforcement is still on the horizon. Now is the time to review your accounting software's readiness.

What This Means for UAE SMEs

For SMEs across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain, the corporate tax deadline is a wake-up call. Many businesses have relied on spreadsheets or legacy systems that are not equipped to handle the complexities of corporate tax calculations, especially when it comes to adjustments, exemptions, and related-party transactions.

Here are three actionable steps:

Reconcile your financials now. Ensure your bookkeeping is accurate and up to date. Discrepancies between your accounting records and tax filings can lead to audits and penalties.
Review your free zone status. If you are in a free zone, confirm you meet the qualifying income criteria. If not, plan for the 9% rate and adjust your pricing or cost structure accordingly.
Leverage technology. Manual processes are error-prone and time-consuming. Cloud-based accounting and ERP solutions can automate tax calculations, generate accurate reports, and help you meet deadlines with confidence.

Beyond tax, the news from JEDCO and Oman highlights a broader trend: digitalization is key to SME growth. UAE SMEs that adopt digital tools early will be better positioned to scale, access finance, and compete in a rapidly evolving market.

TallyPrime / Techzon Takeaway

With the corporate tax deadline just days away, having the right accounting backbone is no longer optional. TallyPrime is built to handle UAE-specific requirements, including VAT, corporate tax, and payroll (WPS). As an authorized TallyPrime partner in the UAE, Techzon Technologies FZC helps businesses implement, customize, and support TallyPrime to ensure compliance and efficiency.

Whether you need to file your corporate tax return, migrate from Excel, or set up Tally on Cloud for remote access, our team is here to help. Visit our blog for more insights, or contact us for a consultation. Together we grow.

Source roundup

Headlines are attributed to original publishers. Commentary is original analysis by Techzon Technologies FZC.

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