Federal Tax Authority Journal Newshttps://federaltaxauthority.org/news/Independent UAE tax, public finance, civic life and business reporting Contributors to the UAE: Emirati & expatriate profileshttps://federaltaxauthority.org/people/https://federaltaxauthority.org/people/Tue, 23 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000An editorial directory of recognized contributors to the United Arab Emirates — Emirati leaders and pioneers and long-serving expatriates — profiled from verifiable public records. UAE 2025 federal budget report puts estimated tax revenue at AED 12.64bnhttps://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-federal-budget-2025-tax-revenue-explained/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-federal-budget-2025-tax-revenue-explained/Wed, 12 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000The Ministry of Finance’s 2025 federal budget report lists AED 12.64 billion in estimated tax revenue for the year. The estimate sits within a broader revenue plan and is not the same measure as tax collected by the FTA. ADNOC reports 64,500 employee volunteer hours across UAE initiatives in 2024https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/adnoc-volunteering-community-impact-2024/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/adnoc-volunteering-community-impact-2024/Tue, 10 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000ADNOC’s 2024 sustainability report says about 8,900 employees took part in more than 20 volunteer initiatives, recording over 64,500 hours across health, education, environment and community support. UAE tax contributions and public value: what revenue figures can tell ushttps://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-tax-contributions-and-public-value/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-tax-contributions-and-public-value/Tue, 15 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000A plain-language guide to reading tax receipts alongside budget plans, service fees and public spending without confusing a revenue total with a named public project. What makes a great citizen? Looking beyond a tax receipthttps://federaltaxauthority.org/news/what-makes-a-great-citizen-community-contribution/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/what-makes-a-great-citizen-community-contribution/Thu, 06 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000A civic contribution is not a public ranking of private tax records. Service, volunteering, expertise and care for neighbours are among the public actions communities can recognize and document. Corporate citizenship in the UAE: five contributions to measure beyond taxhttps://federaltaxauthority.org/news/corporate-citizenship-beyond-tax-compliance/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/corporate-citizenship-beyond-tax-compliance/Sun, 21 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000Tax compliance is essential, but a balanced account of company contribution also examines local employment, supplier development, skills, environmental outcomes and community programmes. How to read public tax reports without exposing private taxpayershttps://federaltaxauthority.org/news/how-to-read-public-tax-reports-transparency/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/how-to-read-public-tax-reports-transparency/Mon, 18 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000Public accountability depends on meaningful aggregate reporting and privacy protections. Here is a checklist for separating published revenue data from confidential individual records. Small businesses and civic contribution: compliance, jobs and local tieshttps://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-small-business-tax-and-community-contribution/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-small-business-tax-and-community-contribution/Wed, 21 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000Small firms contribute through lawful tax compliance, employment, services and local relationships. No single indicator captures the whole value of a business to its community. FTA launches AI-powered platform for tourist VAT refundshttps://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-launches-ai-powered-tourist-vat-refunds-2026/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-launches-ai-powered-tourist-vat-refunds-2026/Tue, 23 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000The FTA announced a digital platform using artificial intelligence for tourist VAT refunds and said the scheme had processed about 25 million transactions worth AED 4.2 billion by October 2026. UAE tax authority reports AED 46bn in VAT and excise receipts for 2025https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-vat-excise-revenue-2025-aed-46-billion/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-vat-excise-revenue-2025-aed-46-billion/Mon, 21 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000The UAE Federal Tax Authority said VAT and excise tax receipts reached AED 46 billion in 2025, up from AED 41 billion in 2024. The figures describe collections, not a breakdown of individual tax bills or spending allocations. FTA reports 176,000 market inspections across UAE in 2025https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-market-inspections-2025-results/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-market-inspections-2025-results/Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000The FTA said it carried out about 176,000 field inspection visits in 2025, up 89% year on year, and reported seizures of non-compliant tobacco and excise goods. UAE issues decision on exchange of information for tax purposeshttps://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-tax-transparency-information-exchange-2025/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-tax-transparency-information-exchange-2025/Tue, 14 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000The Ministry of Finance announced Cabinet Decision No. 209 of 2025 on exchange of information upon request for tax purposes, describing it as part of international tax-transparency cooperation. Tourist VAT refund network reaches about 19,000 UAE retail outletshttps://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-retail-tourist-vat-refund-network-2025/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-retail-tourist-vat-refund-network-2025/Sun, 04 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000The FTA said about 19,000 retail outlets were electronically connected to the tourist VAT refund system by the end of 2025, up from 17,600 a year earlier. FTA says corporate-tax registrants exceeded 640,000https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-tax-returns-record-registrants-2025/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-tax-returns-record-registrants-2025/Wed, 26 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000The FTA reported that corporate-tax registrants exceeded 640,000 and said filings and payments were being made ahead of the 2025 deadline for the 2024 tax period. UAE and Russia tax authorities sign technical-cooperation memorandumhttps://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-russia-tax-administration-cooperation-2025/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-russia-tax-administration-cooperation-2025/Mon, 27 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000The UAE Federal Tax Authority and Russia’s Federal Tax Service signed a memorandum on technical cooperation in tax administration on the sidelines of BRICS meetings. FTA says corporate-tax returns are due within nine months of period endhttps://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-corporate-tax-nine-month-return-rule-2025/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-corporate-tax-nine-month-return-rule-2025/Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000In a September 2025 reminder, the FTA urged businesses to file corporate-tax returns or required annual declarations within nine months of the relevant period’s end. FTA reiterates nine-month corporate-tax filing and payment rulehttps://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-corporate-tax-deadlines-september-2025/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-corporate-tax-deadlines-september-2025/Wed, 17 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000The FTA reminded taxable persons and certain exempt persons that returns or annual declarations and any tax due are generally required within nine months of the end of the relevant period. FTA urges corporate taxpayers to complete records before filinghttps://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-corporate-tax-records-and-returns-2025/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-corporate-tax-records-and-returns-2025/Sun, 09 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000The FTA called on corporate-tax taxpayers to finalise supporting records, submit returns and pay amounts due within the applicable deadlines. Tourist VAT refund network grows as homebuilding refunds reach AED 3.2bnhttps://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-tourist-vat-refund-retailers-2025/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-tourist-vat-refund-retailers-2025/Tue, 23 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000The FTA said approved homebuilding VAT refunds for UAE nationals reached AED 3.2 billion by June 2025 and more than 18,000 retailers were linked to the tourist refund system. UAE adopts OECD guidance for global minimum-tax ruleshttps://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-global-minimum-tax-oecd-guidance-2025/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-global-minimum-tax-oecd-guidance-2025/Thu, 04 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000The Ministry of Finance announced a ministerial decision adopting OECD guidance and commentary on the global minimum tax rules, following a 2024 Cabinet decision on top-up tax for multinational enterprises. FTA reiterates tax-record update grace period ahead of March endhttps://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-tax-record-grace-period-extension-2025/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-tax-record-grace-period-extension-2025/Fri, 01 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000The FTA again asked registrants to update tax records before the end of a grace period in March 2025, noting the potential to avoid administrative penalties for eligible cases. Investopia 2025 opens with focus on new-economy investmenthttps://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-investopia-2025-investment-dialogue/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-investopia-2025-investment-dialogue/Sat, 08 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000The fourth Investopia gathering opened in Abu Dhabi with discussions about global investment and financing trends in emerging economic sectors. UAE ranked first in Global Entrepreneurship Monitor for fourth yearhttps://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-entrepreneurship-global-monitor-2024-2025/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-entrepreneurship-global-monitor-2024-2025/Tue, 23 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000The Ministry of Economy said the UAE ranked first globally in the 2024–2025 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor report for a fourth consecutive year. FTA says market inspection visits climbed to 93,000 in 2024https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-market-inspection-visits-2024-record/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-market-inspection-visits-2024-record/Wed, 23 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000The FTA reported 93,000 field inspection visits across the UAE in 2024, a 135% increase from the previous year, alongside seizures of non-compliant excise goods. FTA points taxpayers to grace period for updating tax recordshttps://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-tax-record-grace-period-2025/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-tax-record-grace-period-2025/Fri, 25 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000The FTA urged registrants to use a temporary grace period to update tax records before the end of March 2025 without administrative penalties, subject to the applicable decision. FTA reports AED 2.9bn in homebuilding VAT refunds through 2024https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-vat-refunds-residences-2024-results/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-vat-refunds-residences-2024-results/Wed, 19 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000The FTA said its homebuilding VAT refund service for UAE nationals had approved about 35,000 applications worth AED 2.9 billion by the end of 2024. UAE first-half 2024 GDP grows 3.6%, ministry sayshttps://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-first-half-2024-gdp-growth/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-first-half-2024-gdp-growth/Sun, 22 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000Preliminary estimates cited by the Ministry of Economy put UAE GDP growth at 3.6% in the first half of 2024, with hotels and restaurants among the expanding sectors. FTA closes 2024 corporate-tax awareness campaign with free-zone workshophttps://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-corporate-tax-awareness-campaign-2024-close/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-corporate-tax-awareness-campaign-2024-close/Sun, 13 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000The FTA said it completed its 2024 corporate-tax awareness campaign with an Abu Dhabi session for free-zone businesses attended by 550 participants. FTA introduces tourist VAT refunds for eligible e-commerce purchaseshttps://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-ecommerce-tourist-vat-refund-system-2024/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-ecommerce-tourist-vat-refund-system-2024/Sun, 16 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000The FTA announced a VAT refund system for eligible e-commerce retail purchases made by tourists during their UAE visit. FTA calls on early corporate-tax filers to meet extended December deadlinehttps://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-corporate-tax-return-deadline-extension-2024/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-corporate-tax-return-deadline-extension-2024/Wed, 27 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000The FTA reminded businesses with specified tax periods ending on or before 29 February 2024 that a filing and payment deadline had been extended to 31 December 2024. UAE and OECD hold international-tax forum in Dubaihttps://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-oecd-international-tax-forum-2024/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-oecd-international-tax-forum-2024/Tue, 29 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000The Ministry of Finance and OECD hosted a forum in Dubai on international taxation, with discussions on global tax issues and exchange of experience. UAE youth event puts entrepreneurship skills in focushttps://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-youth-entrepreneurship-circle-2024/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-youth-entrepreneurship-circle-2024/Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000The Ministry of Economy and Federal Youth Authority organised a youth circle aimed at encouraging an entrepreneurship culture among Emirati young people. UAE approves AED 71.5bn federal budget for 2025https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-federal-budget-2025-approved-october-2024/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-federal-budget-2025-approved-october-2024/Fri, 12 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000The Cabinet approved a federal budget for 2025 with revenues and expenditures each set at AED 71.5 billion, allocating funds across social development, government affairs, infrastructure and investment. FTA reminds UAE companies with August and September licences to registerhttps://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-corporate-tax-registration-october-2024/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-corporate-tax-registration-october-2024/Wed, 21 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000The FTA urged resident juridical persons whose licences were issued in August or September to submit corporate-tax registration applications by 31 October 2024. UAE launches unified Growth business-licence registryhttps://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-national-economic-registry-growth-2024/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-national-economic-registry-growth-2024/Sat, 20 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000The Ministry of Economy launched the National Economic Registry, called Growth, as a unified database of commercial licences across the seven emirates. UAE hotel revenues rise 7% to AED 24.6bn in first half of 2024https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-tourism-hotel-revenues-h1-2024/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-tourism-hotel-revenues-h1-2024/Tue, 15 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000The Ministry of Economy reported that hotel-establishment revenues reached AED 24.6 billion in the first half of 2024, a 7% increase from the same period a year earlier. Tourist VAT refund system processes 2.7m requests in first half of 2024https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-tourist-vat-refund-transactions-h1-2024/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-tourist-vat-refund-transactions-h1-2024/Sat, 18 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000The FTA said its digital tourist VAT refund system processed 2.7 million requests in the first half of 2024, compared with 2.55 million in the same period a year earlier. FTA says it held 40 corporate-tax awareness events in six monthshttps://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-tax-awareness-events-first-half-2024/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-tax-awareness-events-first-half-2024/Fri, 01 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000The FTA reported that it organised 40 events during the first half of 2024 as part of its corporate-tax awareness and compliance programme. FTA says market inspections rose 134% in first half of 2024https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-uae-market-inspections-first-half-2024/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-uae-market-inspections-first-half-2024/Tue, 28 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000The FTA reported 40,580 inspection visits through 109 campaigns in UAE markets during the first half of 2024, compared with 17,310 visits in the same period of 2023. FTA clarifies how a company’s first corporate-tax period is determinedhttps://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-first-corporate-tax-period-clarification-2024/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-first-corporate-tax-period-clarification-2024/Mon, 27 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000A public clarification explained how the first corporate-tax period for certain juridical persons relates to their financial year and when a first period may be shorter or longer than 12 months. FTA reports AED 2.54bn in VAT refunds for UAE nationals building homeshttps://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-homebuilding-vat-refunds-first-half-2024/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-homebuilding-vat-refunds-first-half-2024/Wed, 23 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000By the end of the first half of 2024, the FTA said it had approved 30,920 VAT refund applications worth AED 2.54 billion for UAE nationals building new residences since the service began. Investopia Global Talks in Chennai spotlight UAE–India economic linkshttps://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-india-investopia-global-talks-2024/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-india-investopia-global-talks-2024/Fri, 03 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000The UAE Ministry of Economy said a Chennai event explored cooperation between the UAE and India in emerging and sustainable economic sectors. UAE and Qatar sign agreement to avoid double taxationhttps://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-qatar-double-taxation-agreement-2024/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-qatar-double-taxation-agreement-2024/Sat, 29 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000The UAE and Qatar signed a double-taxation agreement intended to strengthen tax cooperation and provide a framework for cross-border investment and trade. FTA workshop in Dubai focuses on corporate-tax compliancehttps://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-dubai-corporate-tax-workshop-2024/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-dubai-corporate-tax-workshop-2024/Tue, 19 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000A Federal Tax Authority awareness workshop in Dubai addressed corporate tax and compliance requirements for businesses. FTA publishes corporate-tax guide for free-zone businesseshttps://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-free-zone-corporate-tax-guide-2024/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-free-zone-corporate-tax-guide-2024/Sat, 26 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000The FTA issued a guide describing how corporate tax applies to Free Zone Persons, including the conditions tied to qualifying income and the 0% rate. UAE economy minister discusses investment cooperation with EU officialshttps://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-eu-economic-cooperation-investopia-2024/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-eu-economic-cooperation-investopia-2024/Tue, 16 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000Meetings on the sidelines of Investopia Europe focused on prospects for stronger economic cooperation between the UAE and European partners. FTA holds first specialist workshop on corporate tax and real-estate incomehttps://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-real-estate-corporate-tax-workshop-2024/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-real-estate-corporate-tax-workshop-2024/Fri, 04 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000The FTA held a focused workshop on how corporate tax applies to income from real estate, reflecting the sector’s role in the UAE economy. UAE finance ministry frames corporate tax as a long-term revenue measurehttps://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-corporate-tax-economic-sustainability-2024/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-corporate-tax-economic-sustainability-2024/Wed, 27 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000The Ministry of Finance described corporate tax as part of a broader effort to support stable public revenue and align the UAE’s tax framework with international standards. FTA takes corporate-tax awareness campaign to Ras Al Khaimah SMEshttps://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-sme-corporate-tax-awareness-ras-al-khaimah-2024/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-sme-corporate-tax-awareness-ras-al-khaimah-2024/Sun, 06 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000The Federal Tax Authority said its second-phase awareness campaign included an event for small and medium-sized businesses in Ras Al Khaimah. UAE forum connects small businesses with public procurement opportunitieshttps://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-sme-government-procurement-forum-2024/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/uae-sme-government-procurement-forum-2024/Sun, 09 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000The Ministry of Economy said a national forum brought together more than 80 federal entities, local companies and SME owners to discuss access to government tenders and contracts. FTA sets corporate-tax registration windows for UAE businesseshttps://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-corporate-tax-registration-timelines-2024/https://federaltaxauthority.org/news/fta-corporate-tax-registration-timelines-2024/Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000A Federal Tax Authority decision set registration timeframes for taxable persons, with a 31 May 2024 deadline for resident companies holding licences issued in January or February.