What is Inside a UAE Corporate Tax Return: 8 Components

Vlad Sharuda
Vlad Sharuda

A corporate tax return is essentially information filed with the Federal Tax Authority for CT purposes. It must be submitted in the form and manner prescribed by the FTA and covers one taxation period.

To fully understand filing for corporate tax, knowing the basics makes the filing process much easier. While the exact information depends on your business, every return is made up of several core components that help determine your tax position for the relevant financial year.

Core components of a corporate tax return

Component Type

Details and Examples of Info Needed

Taxable Person Details

  • Identification details
  • Legal form (natural person or juridical persons)
  • CT Tax Registration Number or TRN (note that this is separate from VAT TRN)
  • Free Zone information (if applicable)
  • Tax Group details (if applicable)

Typically these details are already available in your EmaraTax account after CT registration, but it helps to keep it updated as soon as changes happen to prevent any mistakes before filing your tax return.

Current Taxable Period

Every tax return corresponds to one specific taxation period. You cannot combine multiple periods in one return.

For example:

  • If your Fiscal Year is 1 January 2025 – 31 December 2025
  • That period is your Current Taxation Period when filing that return.
  • Prior Tax period refers to the filed year prior, and affects tax loss carry forward rules, adjustments, relief claims and transition rules.

Tax Elections (if applicable)

The return includes elections such as:

  • Gains and losses are recognized for CT purposes when they are realized
  • Transitional rules – treatment of pre-CT assets and liabilities
  • Asset transfers within a Qualifying Group
  • Small Business Relief (applicable until Dec 2026 as of publication)

Accounting or Financial Records

  • Accounting income
  • Financial details (including cashflow statements, balance sheet, etc)
  • Audit status (where required)

Adjustments to determine income subject to CT

Adjustments include:

  • Exempt income
  • Non-deductible expenditure
  • Interest deduction limitations
  • Free Zone income adjustments

Relief and Tax Losses

  • Tax loss carry forward
  • Tax loss transfers within a CT group
  • Group relief
  • Business restructuring relief

Tax Liability and Tax Credits

  • Final taxable income
  • Corporation tax calculation
  • Foreign Tax Credits (if applicable)
  • Withholding Tax Credits (if applicable)
  • CT Payable

Review and Declaration

  • Confirmation of completeness
  • Legal declaration by authorized signatory

Hey! I’m Skrooge 👋

Need accounting or tax help?

Leave your phone number and we'll call you back.

Invalid phone number

Thank you!

We've received your request and will get back to you shortly.

About Our Editorial Team

Vlad Sharuda
Vlad Sharuda
|
Contributing Writer

Co-founder

content

Loading...

Hey! I’m Skrooge 👋

Leave your phone number and we'll call you back.

Invalid phone number

or

Thank you!

We've received your request and will get back to you shortly.

Back to site

Thank you!

We've received your request and will get back to you shortly.

Back to site