Accounting Firm in Dubai — Tax, VAT & Audit Services UAE | Al Burhan
— Free Zone Tax & Compliance
Free Zone Tax & Compliance in the UAE
Keep your 0% rate. QFZP assessments, qualifying income analysis and complete compliance for UAE free zone companies, from a registered UAE tax consultant .
45+ Years CA Experience
IFRS Compliant
Free Zone & Mainland
Free Consultation
Speak to Our Free Zone Tax Team Today
Get a free initial assessment of your free zone tax position. No obligation, no jargon.
+971 50 536 0953
Overview
Corporate Tax and Compliance for UAE Free Zone Companies
A free zone license does not make you tax free automatically. Free zone companies must register for corporate tax, file returns and meet strict conditions to pay 0% as a Qualifying Free Zone Person: adequate substance, qualifying income, the de minimis limit, audited financials and transfer pricing compliance. Fail one condition and the 0% rate is gone for five tax periods.
Al Burhan provides complete free zone tax and compliance services in the UAE: QFZP eligibility assessments, qualifying income analysis, registration and filing, substance reviews, audited financial statements and zone-specific compliance for DMCC, JAFZA, DIFC, SAIF Zone, RAKEZ and more.
As a registered UAE tax consultant with 45+ years of chartered accountancy experience, we protect the rate you planned for, year after year, for a fixed fee agreed upfront.
— What We Cover
What Our Free Zone Tax Services Include
Our free zone tax services are fully customisable, from a one-off QFZP assessment to complete year-round tax and compliance management.
QFZP Eligibility Assessment
A structured review of whether your entity can meet the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions, and what to change if it cannot yet.
Qualifying Income Analysis
Every revenue stream classified as qualifying or non-qualifying, including the de minimis test, so the 0% rate is applied correctly.
CT Registration & Filing
Corporate tax registration and annual return filing for free zone entities, with the QFZP election and disclosures handled properly.
Substance Review
Your people, premises and core activities reviewed against the adequate substance test, with practical fixes where needed.
Transfer Pricing Compliance
Arm’s length documentation for related party dealings, a hard condition of keeping Qualifying Free Zone Person status.
Audited Financials
QFZP status requires audited financial statements. We prepare audit-ready IFRS accounts and manage the audit process.
Mainland Dealings Advice
Clear guidance on how sales to the mainland affect your qualifying status, and structuring that protects the 0% rate.
Zone-Specific Compliance
Filings and requirements for DMCC, JAFZA, DIFC, SAIF Zone, RAKEZ and other zones, tracked and delivered on time.
Ongoing Status Monitoring
Annual reassessment of your qualifying status as rules and your business change, so you never lose the rate by accident.
— Why Outsource
Why Free Zone Companies Choose Al Burhan
The 0% free zone rate is real, but it is conditional, annual and easy to lose. Specialist support protects it.
Keep the 0% Rate
QFZP conditions assessed and maintained year after year, not just claimed once.
Avoid the 9% Trap
Failing one condition can put all your income at 9% for five tax periods. We watch the conditions that matter.
Every Zone Covered
DMCC, JAFZA, DIFC, SAIF Zone, RAKEZ and more. We know each zone's rules and deadlines.
Audit-Ready Always
QFZP status requires audited accounts. Ours are prepared to that standard from day one.
Registered Tax Consultant
We can represent your free zone entity directly before the UAE in queries and reviews.
One Team for Everything
Tax, accounting, audit support and compliance under one roof, so nothing falls through the gaps.
— UAE Legal Requirement
Do Free Zone Companies Pay Corporate Tax in the UAE?
Free zone companies are inside the corporate tax system. To benefit from the 0% rate as a Qualifying Free Zone Person, your entity must:
- Register for corporate tax and file an annual return like any other UAE business
- Maintain adequate substance in the free zone: people, premises and core activities
- Earn qualifying income and stay within the de minimis limit for other income
- Prepare audited financial statements under IFRS
- Comply with transfer pricing rules and documentation requirements
The Penalty Risk
QFZP status is all or nothing. Fail one condition and the 0% rate is lost for that year and the four following tax periods.
Losing QFZP status means 9% on all taxable income above AED 375,000 for five years, plus the usual UAE penalties if registration (AED 10,000) or filing deadlines slip.
Al Burhan monitors your conditions through the year, so the rate you planned for is the rate you pay.
— How We Work
How Our Free Zone Tax Service Works in 4 Simple Steps
Getting started is straightforward. Here is exactly how we protect your free zone status and keep your compliance running.
01
Free Status Review
A free call to review your zone, activities and revenue streams against the QFZP conditions. No obligation, just clarity.
02
Proposal & Agreement
We send a clear fixed-fee scope of work. No hourly billing. No surprise invoices. You know exactly what you're paying before we start.
03
Assessment & Fixes
We document your qualifying position, fix substance or classification gaps, and set up the records the UAE expects.
04
Ongoing Protection
Annual reassessment, return filing and monitoring of rule changes, so your status survives growth and change.
— Industries We Serve
Free Zone Tax for Every UAE Industry
Qualifying activities and rules differ by sector. We know exactly how they apply to yours.
Construction & Contracting
Contracting from free zones and the treatment of mainland projects
Restaurants & Hotels
Free zone F&B outlets and designated zone goods rules
Trading & Distribution
Designated zone trading, imports and qualifying distribution income
Real Estate & Property
Free zone property income and commercial vs residential treatment
Technology & Startups
Software, IP and service income qualification for the 0% rate.
Healthcare & Clinics
Clinics in healthcare free zones and insurance income treatment.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing in free zones as a qualifying activity
Logistics & Freight
Logistics and distribution from designated zones
— Why Choose Al Burhan
Why Choose Al Burhan for Free Zone Tax & Compliance?
45+ Years of CA Experience
Led by a qualified Chartered Accountant with over four decades of UAE experience — free zones, mainland, and multinational clients.
UAE Registered Tax Consultant
Registered and approved UAE Federal Tax Authority tax Consultant — your VAT and corporate tax handled to the UAE's own standard.
IFRS-Compliant Reporting
All financial statements prepared to International Financial Reporting Standards — mandatory for UAE businesses.
Audit-Ready at All Times
Books maintained to audit standard from day one — no year-end scramble. We liaise directly with your external auditor.
Dedicated Accountant Per Client
One person who knows your business — not a rotating team. Always reachable, always familiar with your financial situation.
Fixed Fee — No Surprises
Transparent fixed monthly fee based on your transaction volume. No hourly billing, no surprise invoices — ever.
— Why Choose Al Burhan
"Throughout our time working together, Al Burhan has provided invaluable guidance and support. They have a deep understanding of our business and industry, and are always willing to share their insights and knowledge with us."
Timur Kozhakhmetov
Head of International Projects Coordination Group, Versus Legal
45+
Years of CA Practice
500+
UAE Businesses Advised
100%
UAE Compliance Focused
— FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about free zone corporate tax and compliance.
Do free zone companies pay corporate tax in the UAE?
Yes, free zone companies are inside the corporate tax system and must register and file returns. The difference is that a Qualifying Free Zone Person can pay 0% on qualifying income instead of the standard 9%, if strict conditions are met.
What is a Qualifying Free Zone Person?
A free zone entity that maintains adequate substance in the zone, earns qualifying income, stays within the de minimis limit, prepares audited financial statements and complies with transfer pricing rules. Meet all the conditions and qualifying income is taxed at 0%.
What counts as qualifying income?
Broadly, income from transactions with other free zone persons and from a defined list of qualifying activities, such as manufacturing, distribution from designated zones, fund management and certain services. Income from excluded activities never qualifies. We map your revenue precisely.
What is the de minimis rule?
Non-qualifying revenue must stay below 5% of total revenue or AED 5 million, whichever is lower. Cross that line and QFZP status is lost entirely, not just for the excess.
What happens if we fail a QFZP condition?
You lose the 0% rate for that tax period and the four following periods, meaning 9% on taxable income above AED 375,000 for five years. This is why annual monitoring matters more than one-off structuring.
Can we sell to the mainland and keep the 0% rate?
Sometimes. Certain qualifying activities can serve mainland customers, and small amounts of other mainland income may fit within the de minimis limit. It depends on your activity and your numbers, which is exactly what we assess.
Do free zone companies need audited financial statements?
Yes. Audited IFRS financial statements are a condition of QFZP status, and most free zones require them for license renewal anyway. We prepare audit-ready accounts and manage the audit process.
Which free zones do you work with?
All major UAE free zones, including DMCC, JAFZA, DIFC, SAIF Zone, RAKEZ, DAFZA and others. Each zone has its own filing rules and deadlines, which we track for you.
Do designated zones have special VAT rules too?
Yes. Designated zones have special VAT treatment for certain goods transactions, while services remain taxable as normal. We handle the corporate tax and VAT sides together so the treatments stay consistent.
How much does free zone tax compliance cost?
It depends on your zone, activities and revenue mix. Al Burhan quotes a transparent fixed fee upfront: a one-off QFZP assessment or a monthly fee covering tax, accounting and compliance together. Contact us for an exact quote.
— Related Services
Related Services You May Also Need
Free zone compliance touches every part of your finances. These related services complete the picture.
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Outsourced CFO Services
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Investor-ready business plans, budgets and financial forecasts prepared by chartered accountants. Learn More →
— Ready to Get Started?
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