TaxSavvyAE

Zone asks for audited accounts at renewal

My free zone will not renew without audited accounts. Is that legal?

The situation

Free zones set their own licensing rules, and many require annual audited accounts. Separately, Qualifying Free Zone Persons must have audited statements for Corporate Tax.

The law

  • Ministerial Decision 84 of 2025: Audited statements for Qualifying Free Zone Persons and large taxpayers

What it means for you

The zone requirement is part of your licence terms, so treat it as mandatory. The audit also supports your Corporate Tax return and bank KYC. Example: a JAFZA or DMCC company with a December year end should finish its audit by spring to renew on time and file its return well before the September deadline. Small company audits are often priced around AED 5,000 to 15,000.

What to do

  1. Check your zone renewal checklist.
  2. Appoint a UAE registered auditor early.
  3. Close and reconcile the books.
  4. Submit audited accounts with the renewal.

We can do this for youTrade licence renewal for mainland and free zone companies: Ejari, UBO, audit and tax checks before renewal: AED 1,200

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