Individual business owners and JV partners face end-March cut-off date for registration
Last Day for Freelancer Tax Registration
Today marks the final deadline for UAE freelancers to register for corporate tax. Those who fail to register by the end of 31 March 2025 may face penalties unless the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) announces an extension.
Despite repeated reminders from the FTA in recent weeks, many freelancers are still scrambling to complete their registrations.
Why Some Freelancers Are Late
“Many freelancers remain unregistered mostly because of a lack of awareness about their tax obligations,” explains Atik Munshi, Managing Partner at Finexpertiza UAE.
“At times, such individuals do not realise that all income from different business operations needs to be consolidated,” he adds.
It’s important to note that income from rents, salaries, and similar sources is exempt from corporate tax calculations.
Who Needs to Register?
The registration requirement applies to:
- Freelancers with business turnover exceeding Dh1 million in 2024
- UAE residents and non-residents engaged in business activities in the UAE
- Sole proprietors and partners in joint ventures
- Social media influencers
- E-trader license holders
What Counts as Income?
When calculating whether you’ve reached the Dh1 million threshold, remember:
- Cash payments from business activities
- In-kind payments (such as all-expenses-paid trips)
- Revenue from all business operations combined
Key Dates for Freelancers
The FTA has established clear timelines:
- 31 March 2025: Deadline to register for corporate tax if 2024 revenue exceeded Dh1 million
- 30 September 2025: Deadline to file corporate tax returns
- Dh10,000: Administrative penalty for failing to register by the deadline
How to Register
The registration process is straightforward:
For Existing VAT or Excise Tax Registrants:
- Access your account through EmaraTax
- Complete the corporate tax registration application
- Receive your corporate tax registration number upon approval
For New Users:
- Visit ‘services.tax.gov.ae‘
- Create an account with email ID and phone number
- Select corporate tax registration option
- Complete the application
For those who prefer in-person assistance, the FTA accepts corporate tax registration applications through Tas’heel Centres throughout the UAE.
FTA’s Ongoing Communication
The FTA has been actively guiding freelancers throughout the registration process. Clear guidelines have been issued regarding registration requirements, with repeated messaging to encourage timely compliance.
The authority’s digital platform, EmaraTax, operates 24 hours a day to facilitate the registration process.
What Happens Next?
After registration, freelancers must prepare to file their corporate tax returns by 30 September 2025. This gives registered businesses approximately six months to organise their financial records and calculate their tax liabilities.
Key Takeaway
UAE freelancers and individual business owners with revenue exceeding Dh1 million must register for corporate tax by 31 March 2025 to avoid penalties. The process is designed to be straightforward through the EmaraTax platform, with options for both online and in-person registration. With the deadline closing today, affected individuals should prioritise registration immediately to remain compliant with UAE tax regulations.
Published: 31 March 2025
JobXDubai 
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