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FTACorporate Tax return deadline for June year end filers, 31 March 2027
CEPAUAE-India: revised customs schedule effective 1 August
MoFPublishes updated Transfer Pricing guidelines
VATRegistration threshold reminder: AED 375,000 mandatory
CircularNew FTA circular on Free Zone Qualifying Income issued
FTACorporate Tax return deadline for June year end filers, 31 March 2027

Qualifying Income Companies · UAE

Qualifying Income status requires annual discipline.

Income-stream testing, de minimis monitoring, substance and transfer-pricing support for UAE Free Zone companies.

20+Years advising
400+Active clients
IFRSCompliant reporting
ACCAChartered practice
Corporate TaxSep 10, 2026

Free Zone Qualifying Income: what actually qualifies under the June 2026 update.

The Ministry's clarification narrows the definition of "qualifying activities" and reintroduces substance thresholds. Here's the practical practical explanation for holding structures.

Read the briefing →
Overview

Specialist support for Qualifying Income Companies

For a Qualifying Free Zone Person, the 0% Corporate Tax rate is limited to Qualifying Income and depends on continuing to meet every relevant condition. A year-end conclusion without transaction-level evidence may overlook excluded activities, non-qualifying counterparties or de minimis exposure.

CBM Consultants brings accounting, tax, audit and advisory work together around the entity’s actual activities. We begin with the legal and operating facts, identify the obligations that apply and build a practical calendar, evidence file and management action list.

Important: This page provides general information. The correct treatment depends on the specific facts and the law and official guidance applicable at the relevant time.

Scope of support

What our engagement can cover

01

Activity-by-activity and revenue-stream mapping

Assessment of the current position and applicable obligations.

02

Counterparty status and beneficial-recipient analysis

Preparation, reconciliation and documented implementation support.

03

Qualifying, excluded and other income classification

Ongoing monitoring, review and authority-ready records.

04

De minimis calculations and monitoring

Assessment of the current position and applicable obligations.

05

Adequate substance and outsourcing controls

Preparation, reconciliation and documented implementation support.

06

Transfer pricing, audited accounts and election status

Ongoing monitoring, review and authority-ready records.

Key considerations

What should be assessed before action is taken

Current decisions and guidance,Use the rules applicable to the tax period and document material interpretations.

Revenue data,Capture activity, customer, location and transaction attributes in the accounting system.

Direct expenditure,Allocate costs consistently when calculating and evidencing relevant income.

Failure consequences,Escalate potential breaches promptly because loss of status can affect multiple periods.

How we work

A controlled process with clear ownership

01

Understand

Review the entity, licences, ownership, activities and objectives.

02

Assess

Map accounting, VAT, Corporate Tax, audit and governance requirements.

03

Design

Agree actions, responsibilities, evidence and deadlines.

04

Implement

Prepare registrations, records, calculations and supporting documentation.

05

Maintain

Monitor changes, complete periodic reviews and keep the file current.

Typical deliverables

Defined outputs, agreed before work begins

  • Entity and obligation assessment
  • Compliance and reporting calendar
  • Accounting and tax action plan
  • Supporting calculations and evidence schedules
  • Management issues and recommendation report
  • Coordination with relevant authorities or advisers
Why CBMC

Connected advice, built on reconciled information

Our engagements connect the accounting record with tax, audit, governance and commercial reporting. A named senior contact coordinates the work, material positions are documented and issues are raised early enough for management to act.

Where another licensed or jurisdiction-specific adviser is required, we identify the dependency and coordinate the information needed for that work.

Frequently asked questions

Questions clients ask before engaging us

Is the tax treatment determined only by the licence?

No. The legal form, actual activities, transactions, counterparties, income and applicable conditions must be considered.

Can CBMC provide accounting and tax support together?

Yes. An integrated scope can reduce duplicated requests and keep the ledger, tax positions and reporting consistent.

Will every business need the same deliverables?

No. The engagement is tailored to the entity, authority requirements, transaction volume, risk and management needs.

How often should the position be reviewed?

At least for each reporting or tax period and whenever activities, ownership, premises, counterparties or legislation change.

Does this page replace formal advice?

No. It provides general information. A conclusion requires review of the specific facts and current law and guidance.

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