Compliance Calendar
UAE 2026
See every VAT, CT, audit, and license deadline in one visual calendar.
Export to your phone or PDF.
Need help staying compliant?
Our team manages compliance deadlines for UAE businesses every day.
Understanding UAE Compliance Deadlines
VAT Filing Cycles
- Quarterly filing — most businesses file every 3 months on a cadence set by FTA
- Due date — 28th of the month following the quarter end
- Late filing — AED 500 per return, per offence
Corporate Tax Deadlines
- Filing deadline — 9 months after your financial year ends
- Payment deadline — same as filing deadline
- Late filing — AED 500/month (months 1-12), AED 1,000/month thereafter
Audit Requirements
- Free zone entities — audit deadline depends on your authority (3-12 months)
- Mainland — Under UAE CCL, mainland companies are required to audit within 3 months after the end of the FY. In practice, DED does not currently request audit reports from every company at renewal. However, should the DED request those, you will be expected to produce them.
- ADGM filing — audited accounts must be filed with the Registrar within 9 months
Frequently Asked Questions
What deadlines does this calendar include?
Our compliance calendar includes deadlines for VAT filing, Corporate Tax filing, audit submission, and trade license renewal dates, which are all computed from your specific details.
Is my data stored or shared?
No, when you use our Compliance Calendar, nothing is sent to a server, stored, or shared with anyone. All the calculations happen in your browser. You can verify this by using the tool offline.
How does the ICS calendar export work?
When you click “Add to Calendar”, a standard .ics file containing all your deadlines will be downloaded. You can open it using any device via calendar apps like Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, and Outlook. Each deadline added through this .ics will have reminders for 1 week and 1 day prior.
What if I’m not VAT registered yet?
If you select “No” for VAT registration, our Compliance Calendar will ask you if your supplies crossed AED 375,000. Based on that, we will calculate your registration deadline, estimated effective date, and when your first filing would be due.
Why do audit deadlines differ by free zone?
Free zone authorities set their own deadlines for submitting audited financial statements. For instance, JAFZA and DAFZA require submission within 3 months of FY end, but ADGM allows 9 months and SHAMS allows 12 months.
Can I see deadlines for future years?
Yes, our Compliance Calendar shows deadlines for all years. Simply use the navigation arrows above the calendar to change the year. All recurring obligations (VAT, CT, audit, license) are projected forward based on the same cycles.
When is the Corporate Tax filing deadline in the UAE?
Generally, businesses must file Corporate Tax returns within 9 months after the end of their financial year.
What is the VAT return filing deadline?
VAT returns are due 28 days after the end of your tax period, which can be monthly or quarterly.
What are the penalties for late tax filing in the UAE?
If you are filing Corporate Tax returns late for the first time in 24 months, you will need to pay a penalty of AED 1,000, but if it's your second or later offence within 24 months, you must pay a penalty of AED 2,000. The same penalties apply to VAT filings.
How often do I need to file VAT returns (monthly vs quarterly)?
If your annual taxable turnover exceeds AED 150 million, you will need to file VAT returns every month. If it doesn’t, you can file VAT returns on a quarterly basis.
What is the corporate tax period for businesses in the UAE?
The corporate tax period for businesses in the UAE is 12 months.
When does the tax year start and end in the UAE?
Businesses can choose their tax year start and end in the UAE. If a legitimate business reason exists, you can even change your tax period’s start and end.
What are the key tax compliance dates for UAE businesses in 2026?
The key compliance dates for UAE businesses in 2026 will depend on their specific details. Use our Compliance Calendar to learn about the compliance deadlines relevant to your business.
What changed in the UAE penalty structure from April 2026?
From April 2026, the Cabinet Decision No. 129 of 2025 came into effect, significantly reducing various tax-related penalties.
Need help staying compliant?
Our team manages compliance deadlines for UAE businesses every day.
Contact Us 
