Under the UAE Corporate Tax Law, individuals are not automatically exempt from corporate tax obligations. In certain circumstances, natural persons (individuals) may be required to register and pay corporate tax.
Registration Requirements for Individuals
An individual must register as a corporate tax payer if they earn more than AED 1 million per year from business activities. This threshold applies to income that is:
Not part of basic employment salary
Not from real estate investments
Not from passive investments (such as stocks, bonds, or bank deposits)
What Income is Subject to Corporate Tax?
Income subject to corporate tax for individuals may include:
Revenue from freelance work or consultancy
Income from sole proprietorship businesses
Profits from commercial activities
Service fees earned outside of employment
Income from online businesses or e-commerce
Profits from trading activities
Registration Timeline
If your business income exceeds AED 1 million in a calendar year, you must register by March 31 of the following year and file your tax return by September 30 of that year.
Example: If your business income exceeds AED 1 million in 2024, you must register by March 31, 2025, and file your tax return by September 30, 2025.
Tax Rate
The standard corporate tax rate of 9% applies to taxable income exceeding AED 375,000. Income below this threshold is subject to a 0% rate.
Penalties
Failure to register when required can result in a penalty of AED 10,000, with additional penalties for non-compliance with filing and payment obligations.