Accounting for UAE free-zone companies
Free-zone company accounting comes with its own rules: audited accounts, licence renewals and the Qualifying Free Zone Person test for 0% Corporate Tax. BooksGem keeps your books, VAT and Corporate Tax in order — for a fixed monthly fee.
Free zones we work with
We work online with companies in every UAE free zone.
DMCC accounting
Accounting and bookkeeping for DMCC companies: audit-ready books, VAT, Corporate Tax and Qualifying Free Zone Person checks.
Learn more →IFZA accounting
Accounting services for IFZA companies: monthly bookkeeping, VAT, Corporate Tax and audit-ready financial statements.
Learn more →Meydan Free Zone accounting
Bookkeeping, VAT and Corporate Tax services for Meydan Free Zone companies. Fixed monthly fees.
Learn more →RAKEZ accounting
Bookkeeping, VAT and Corporate Tax for RAKEZ free-zone companies, with audit-ready accounts.
Learn more →SHAMS accounting
Accounting, bookkeeping and Corporate Tax services for Sharjah Media City (SHAMS) companies and freelancers.
Learn more →- JAFZA
- DAFZA
- SAIF Zone
- Ajman Free Zone
- ADGM
- KEZAD
Free-zone Corporate Tax: how the 0% rate works
A free-zone company is a Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) — and pays 0% on qualifying income — only if it meets all of these conditions:
- It keeps adequate substance (people, premises and activity) in the UAE
- It earns qualifying income, such as income from other free-zone persons or qualifying activities
- Non-qualifying revenue stays within the de minimis limit: under 5% of total revenue or AED 5 million, whichever is lower
- It prepares audited financial statements
- It follows transfer pricing rules for related-party transactions
- It has not elected to be taxed at the standard rates
Fail one condition and the company is taxed at the standard rates. That's why we split qualifying and non-qualifying income in your books every month, not at year-end.
Corporate Tax return filing →Free-zone company accounting, done monthly
- Monthly bookkeeping and bank reconciliations
- Qualifying and non-qualifying income tracked separately
- VAT registration and returns, including designated-zone rules
- Corporate Tax registration and annual return
- Audit-ready year-end accounts for your licence renewal
Frequently asked questions
Do free-zone companies pay Corporate Tax in the UAE?
Free-zone companies are within UAE Corporate Tax. A Qualifying Free Zone Person pays 0% on qualifying income and 9% on other taxable income. A free-zone company that doesn't meet the conditions pays the standard rates: 0% up to AED 375,000 of taxable income and 9% above.
Do free-zone companies need to register for Corporate Tax?
Yes. Every free-zone company must register for Corporate Tax and file an annual return, even when no tax is payable.
Do free-zone companies need audited accounts?
A Qualifying Free Zone Person must prepare audited financial statements to keep the 0% rate, and many free-zone authorities ask for audited accounts at licence renewal anyway. We keep your books audit-ready and work with your auditor.
Keep your free-zone company compliant
Tell us about your business and get a fixed monthly quote within one business day.