Answers on UAE audit, tax &
compliance — in plain English.
Everything businesses ask us about audits, corporate tax, VAT, free-zone approvals, accounting and company setup in the UAE. Can’t find your answer? Our team replies within 24 hours.
About Alya Auditors
Who is Alya Auditors?
Alya Auditors is a Dubai-based firm of chartered accountants and registered auditors offering audit & assurance, corporate tax, VAT, accounting and business-setup services across the UAE. With 17+ years of experience and 3,000+ clients served, we are recognised as the UAE’s first AI-powered audit firm.
Is Alya a registered and licensed audit firm in the UAE?
Yes. Alya Auditors is a licensed audit firm in the UAE and an approved auditor across major free zones including DMCC, DIFC, IFZA, JAFZA and Meydan. Our auditors are professionally qualified and registered to issue audited financial statements that authorities accept.
Where is Alya Auditors located?
Our head office is in Business Bay, Dubai, and we serve clients across all seven emirates — Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain — as well as international companies with UAE operations.
What makes Alya different from other audit firms in Dubai?
We combine 17+ years of UAE compliance expertise with a technology-first approach: an in-house AI-powered audit application, real-time tracking dashboards and Six Sigma-driven quality control. The result is faster, more accurate and fully transparent audits, with most engagements completed in under a month.
Audit & Assurance
Are audits mandatory for companies in the UAE?
Yes. Most UAE companies are required to maintain proper books of account and prepare annual audited financial statements. Mainland companies fall under UAE Commercial Companies Law, and the majority of free zones require audited financials for licence renewal. Audited accounts are also needed for corporate tax compliance, bank facilities and investor reporting.
Which companies must have their accounts audited?
Mainland LLCs, branches of foreign companies, and companies in free zones such as DMCC, DIFC, JAFZA, Meydan and DWC are generally required to submit audited statements. Even where an audit is optional, it is strongly recommended for corporate tax accuracy and transparent financial reporting.
What is the difference between statutory, internal and external audit?
A statutory (external) audit is an independent examination of financial statements required by law or the licensing authority. An internal audit reviews internal controls, risk and processes to help management improve operations. Alya provides both, along with special-purpose and compliance audits.
How long does an annual audit take?
For most SMEs an audit takes two to four weeks once complete records are provided. Our average audit turnaround KPI is under one month, and we work to any specific deadline you have for licence renewal or financing.
What happens if a company does not submit audited financial statements?
Failure to submit audited reports where required can lead to administrative penalties, problems renewing your trade licence, and compliance risks with the free-zone authority or the Federal Tax Authority. Timely audits keep your business in good standing.
What documents do I need to prepare before the annual audit?
Typically: trial balance and general ledger, bank statements and reconciliations, sales and purchase invoices, fixed-asset register, inventory records, payroll and WPS records, VAT returns, and your trade licence and MOA. Use our interactive audit-document checklist on the homepage for a list tailored to your company.
Free Zones & Approved Auditors
What is an approved auditor?
An approved auditor is an audit firm registered on a specific free zone’s panel of auditors and authorised to audit and sign off financial statements for companies licensed in that zone. Many UAE free zones only accept audit reports from auditors on their approved list.
Is Alya an approved auditor for DMCC, DIFC, IFZA, JAFZA and Meydan?
Yes. Alya Auditors is an approved auditor across DMCC, DIFC, IFZA, JAFZA, Meydan, Dubai South (DWC), DDA and other major UAE free zones, so we can audit and file statements directly with your authority.
Is an audit mandatory in DMCC and other free zones?
Yes. DMCC requires member companies to submit audited financial statements within 90 days (180 days for certain entities) of their financial year-end. Most other free zones have similar annual audit requirements tied to licence renewal.
How do I find an approved auditor for my free zone?
Check your free zone’s approved-auditor list, or simply contact us — we are registered across the major UAE free zones and can confirm our approval status for your specific zone and handle the full audit and filing.
Corporate Tax
Does the UAE have corporate tax?
Yes. The UAE introduced a federal corporate tax effective for financial years starting on or after 1 June 2023. It applies to most businesses and commercial activities across the UAE.
What is the UAE corporate tax rate?
Corporate tax is charged at 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% on taxable income above AED 375,000. Qualifying free-zone businesses may benefit from a 0% rate on qualifying income if they meet the conditions.
Who needs to register for UAE corporate tax?
All taxable persons — including mainland companies, most free-zone entities and many individuals carrying on a business — must register for corporate tax with the Federal Tax Authority and obtain a Corporate Tax Registration Number, even if their income is below the taxable threshold.
When is the corporate tax registration deadline?
The FTA has set registration deadlines based on the month your licence was issued, and new companies must register within a set period of incorporation. Missing the deadline triggers an administrative penalty, so we recommend registering early — we can confirm your exact deadline and handle the registration.
Do free-zone companies pay corporate tax?
Free-zone companies are within the corporate tax regime and must register and file. A Qualifying Free Zone Person that meets all conditions can enjoy a 0% rate on qualifying income, but still has filing obligations. We assess your eligibility and keep you compliant.
Can Alya help with corporate tax registration and filing?
Yes. We provide end-to-end corporate tax services — registration, impact assessment, taxable-income computation, return filing and ongoing advisory — so your business stays fully compliant with UAE corporate tax law.
VAT in the UAE
What is the VAT rate in the UAE?
The standard VAT rate in the UAE is 5%. Certain supplies are zero-rated or exempt. VAT applies to most goods and services supplied by registered businesses.
When must a business register for VAT?
VAT registration is mandatory once taxable supplies exceed AED 375,000 in a 12-month period, and voluntary above AED 187,500. We assess your turnover and handle the FTA registration for you.
How often do I need to file VAT returns?
Most businesses file VAT returns quarterly, though the FTA assigns some larger businesses a monthly period. Returns and payment are generally due within 28 days of the end of each tax period.
What are the penalties for late VAT filing or payment?
The FTA imposes administrative penalties for late registration, late filing and late payment, plus errors in returns. Staying on schedule avoids these costs — our team manages your filings and deadlines so nothing is missed.
Does Alya provide VAT registration and filing services?
Yes. We offer complete VAT support — registration, return preparation and filing, VAT health checks, consultancy and full FTA compliance — for businesses across the UAE.
Accounting, Bookkeeping & Business Setup
Do I need to maintain accounting records in the UAE?
Yes. UAE law requires businesses to keep proper accounting records and books. For corporate tax and VAT, records must generally be retained for at least 5 years (longer for certain real-estate records). We can set up and maintain compliant books for you.
Do you offer outsourced accounting and bookkeeping?
Yes. Our Virtual Accounts Office provides cloud accounting, bookkeeping, payroll, management reporting and a virtual finance director — scalable for small, growing, mature and international businesses.
Can you work with my existing accounting software?
Yes. We work with leading accounting platforms and can integrate with your existing system, or recommend and implement one that fits your business and keeps you audit-ready year round.
Can Alya help with company formation in the UAE?
Yes. We provide complete business-setup services — company formation, licensing, approvals and bank-account support — for mainland and free-zone structures, and advise on which is right for your activity.
Working with Alya
How much does an audit cost?
Fees depend on your company’s size, transaction volume, industry and the type of engagement. We provide a clear, fixed quote upfront with no hidden charges — contact us for a free, obligation-free quotation.
How do I get a quote or get started?
Request a quote through our contact page, WhatsApp or a call on +971 54 310 0334. We respond to enquiries within 24 hours, scope your requirements and confirm the timeline and fee.
Do you serve businesses outside Dubai?
Yes. We serve clients across all seven emirates and support international companies with UAE subsidiaries, combining on-site and remote working so location is never a barrier.
Why should I hire professional auditors in Dubai?
Professional auditors give you accurate, independent financial statements, ensure regulatory and tax compliance, identify risks and inefficiencies, and build trust with banks, investors and authorities — protecting your business from penalties and supporting growth.
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