FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers on company setup, corporate tax, VAT, accounting, audit and visas in Dubai and the UAE, from an FTA registered tax agency.
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About Bestax
Most firms handle one piece of your business. We handle all of it. Bestax is a chartered accountancy firm that also holds FTA tax agency approval, number 30008692, so your company setup, bookkeeping, payroll, VAT and corporate tax filings, audit file and visa work sit with one team instead of four providers passing the same numbers between them. A senior reviews every set of accounts before it closes and every return before it is submitted. You get a named accountant who knows your business, not a support queue.
The firm is led by Haseeb Hamdani, FCCA, UAE-CA and an FTA Approved Tax Agent. We are an ACCA and ICAEW Approved Employer with more than 35 qualified accountants on the team. A senior reviews your month before it closes and your return before it is filed. Nothing leaves this office on a junior's judgement, and you can ask us at any point who worked on a particular number.
You sign the engagement and we take it from there. We write to your existing provider for the trial balance, ledgers, filing history and portal access, and we chase them so you do not have to. Most handovers finish within two weeks of access arriving. We time the changeover around your next filing date, so there is no gap in your compliance and no return goes in twice.
You get a written scope and a fixed fee before any work starts. No hourly billing, and no invoice arriving because you rang us with a question. Government charges are itemised separately, so you can always see what is our fee and what is paid to an authority. If the work changes, a new entity or a backlog year nobody mentioned, we quote it separately and wait for your approval before touching it.
We handle it. Our tax agency approval means a registered tax agent can correspond with the Federal Tax Authority in your name: answering clarifications, assembling the evidence pack, attending the audit. Because we prepared the records, the file already agrees with what was filed. You are not left explaining someone else's bookkeeping to the Authority.
Yes, and it is far more common than people assume. We look at what exists, tell you plainly how many years need rebuilding and what that will cost, and put a written timeline in front of you before we start. Then we work year by year in filing order, oldest first, so returns go in the right sequence and the penalty position stops getting worse.
One named accountant, with a manager above them who also knows your file. You get their direct line and email. If your accountant is on leave, the manager picks it up rather than your message sitting unanswered. You will not be asked to re-explain your business to somebody new every quarter.
Yes, though not under the same signature, and that is deliberate. An auditor has to be independent of whoever keeps the books. So we prepare the audit file, answer every query and take it through to the signed report, while the opinion itself is issued through our network of approved auditors. You deal with one manager throughout. The reports are accepted by UAE banks, free zone authorities and mainland licensing bodies.
Only if it is holding you back. We work in Xero, QuickBooks, Zoho Books and Odoo, and in SAP and Oracle for group reporting. If your current system suits your size, we will keep it and work in it. If we think moving is worth it, we will tell you why, migrate your data and train your team.
Less than most people expect. For the first call, nothing at all. To open the file we need your trade licence, Memorandum of Association, passport and Emirates ID copies for the shareholders, bank statements for the period, and your FTA login if you are already registered. If something on that list does not exist yet, tell us and we will work out whether it is genuinely needed or can be obtained.
An NDA is part of every engagement as standard, not something you have to ask for. Your records sit in access-controlled systems that only the team assigned to your file can open. We carry professional indemnity insurance and will send you the certificate if you want to see it. Your data is not shared outside the engagement team, and we keep it only as long as the law requires us to.
Yes. A good share of our clients have never sat in our Business Bay office. Onboarding, approvals and filings all work remotely, and our client portal keeps your documents and filings in one place. We also have our own office in Mississauga, Canada and an active presence in the USA and Panama, so if you are running entities across those markets it is one firm and one point of contact rather than four.
Business Setup
Choose your business activity, pick mainland, free zone or offshore, reserve a trade name and submit your documents. Once your licence is issued, you apply for your establishment card, visas and bank account.
Choose mainland if you need premises customers visit, want to bid for government contracts, or will sell goods directly into the local market. Choose a free zone if you trade internationally, work online or want a lower cost start. Free zone companies can still serve UAE clients, usually through a mainland distributor or branch.
Bestax packages start from AED 6,000 for a free zone, AED 5,500 for offshore and AED 14,000 for mainland. Your final cost depends on your activity, office type and number of visas. Use our cost calculator for an instant estimate.
Trade name approval can come within 24 hours, and most licences are issued within 3 to 10 business days. With visas and a bank account, most businesses are fully running in 2 to 4 weeks.
You need a commercial licence for trading, a professional licence for services and consultancy, or an industrial licence for manufacturing. Some activities, like healthcare, education and food, also need approval from a regulatory authority.
For most setups you need passport copies for every shareholder, a passport photo, three proposed trade names and your chosen business activity. Some activities and nationalities need extra approvals, which we confirm on your first call.
Your visa quota depends on your office type. A flexi desk usually allows one to three visas, while a physical office is assessed on floor area. We match the package to the number of visas you actually need.
Yes, in most cases. Free zone and offshore companies allow full foreign ownership, and most mainland activities now do too. A few strategic activities still have limits, which we check on your first call.
Yes. You do not need to live in the UAE to own a company here, and most of the setup can be done online. You will usually need one short visit later for your visa medical, Emirates ID and bank meetings.
Yes. We handle your licence, trade name, office, visas, bank account introduction and tax registrations. One team supports you from setup through to your first tax return.
Yes. We prepare your application file so it meets the bank's checks the first time, then introduce you to banks that suit your type of business. This avoids repeat rejections, which make later applications harder.
Yes. Once your company has its establishment card, we apply for your investor or partner visa, including the entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID and visa stamping. If you qualify for a 10 year Golden Visa instead, we will tell you before you apply.
Ready to start? Send us your business activity and we will confirm your licence type, total cost and timeline.
Get a QuoteTax
Yes. Every UAE company must register, including free zone and offshore companies, even if they will pay no tax. Late registration carries a penalty of AED 10,000.
You pay 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% on income above that. If your revenue is AED 3 million or less you can elect Small Business Relief and pay no corporate tax for periods ending on or before 31 December 2029. This relief is not open to free zone companies claiming the 0% qualifying rate.
Only if it qualifies. You need real substance in the free zone, income from qualifying activities, non qualifying revenue below the de minimis limit, and audited financial statements. Fail any of these and the whole company pays 9% for that year and the following four.
Only if your business turnover as an individual goes above AED 1 million in a calendar year. Salary, personal investment income and personal property income stay outside corporate tax.
You must register if your taxable sales go above AED 375,000 in 12 months. You can register voluntarily if your taxable sales or expenses go above AED 187,500.
Most businesses file every quarter, and some file monthly. Your return and payment are due within 28 days after each tax period ends.
In phases. Businesses with revenue of AED 50 million or more must appoint an accredited service provider by 30 October 2026 and go live on 1 January 2027. Everyone else appoints by 31 March 2027 and goes live on 1 July 2027. We get your system and data ready before your deadline.
Yes. As an FTA registered tax agency, we prepare and file your VAT, corporate tax and excise tax returns. You approve every return before we submit it.
A late VAT return costs AED 1,000, or AED 2,000 if repeated within 24 months. A late corporate tax return costs AED 500 a month for the first twelve months and AED 1,000 a month after that, and unpaid tax adds 14% a year.
Yes. We check whether the penalty is correct and, where there is a valid reason, file a reconsideration request with the FTA. Contact us quickly, because you only have 40 business days to apply.
Yes. Once you appoint us on EmaraTax, our tax agent deals with the FTA on your behalf. This includes replying to FTA requests, handling refunds and filing corrections.
Yes, if you deal with related companies or make payments to owners or directors. Larger businesses must also file a disclosure form or keep detailed transfer pricing files, depending on their size.
Yes. We help you avoid paying tax twice on the same profit, get a UAE Tax Residency Certificate and price deals between your companies correctly.
Not sure where you stand? Send us your trade licence and we will confirm every registration and filing deadline you are facing.
Get a QuoteAccounting
Yes. Every UAE business must keep proper accounting records, and your corporate tax return must be based on them. You must keep these records for at least 7 years.
It depends on your monthly transaction volume, the number of bank accounts and whether you are VAT registered. Send us three months of statements and we will quote a fixed monthly fee with no surprises at year end.
Yes. We rebuild missing entries, match every bank account and correct errors, including past VAT mistakes. You end up with accurate balances you can file and audit with confidence.
Yes. We take over from your current accountant, collect your existing records and closing balances, load them into your accounting system and reconcile everything before we start. You keep working as normal during the handover.
Yes. We prepare IFRS financial statements that are ready for your auditor, your bank and your corporate tax return.
Yes. We calculate salaries, leave pay and end of service gratuity, and process payments through the Wage Protection System. Each employee gets a payslip every month.
Yes. We set up your chart of accounts, VAT settings, invoice templates, bank feeds and user access, so your records are correct from day one.
Yes. We can handle your bookkeeping, payroll, tax and reporting, with a part time CFO for planning. This costs far less than hiring a full in house finance team.
Send us three months of bank statements and we will come back with a fixed monthly quote.
Get a QuoteAudit & Compliance
Yes. We get your books ready, prepare your financial statements and manage the process with an approved auditor, so your audit finishes on time.
Most likely yes. Free zones such as DMCC and JAFZA require audited accounts to renew your licence, and any company claiming the 0% qualifying free zone rate must be audited whatever its free zone. We confirm your exact requirement and deadline.
You will need your trade licence, bank statements, sales and purchase invoices, contracts, fixed asset list, payroll records, tax returns and last year's audited accounts.
You must register if you are a real estate agent, a dealer in gold or precious stones, an accountant or auditor, or a corporate service provider. We handle the registration for you.
Yes. We prepare the financial statements and data needed for your In Country Value certificate, which helps you win government and large company tenders.
Yes. We review how your business runs day to day and give you a report on the risks we found and how to fix them.
Tell us your free zone and your year end, and we will confirm whether you need an audit and by when.
Get a QuoteCorporate Services
Yes. We remind you before your licence is due and handle the full renewal. Renewing on time avoids fines and blocked visas.
Yes. If your application was refused, your account was frozen, or you need a second bank or a switch, we fix the gaps in your file and introduce you to a bank that suits your business.
Yes. We get the approvals, update your licence and let your bank and the FTA know about the change.
Yes. We prepare the share transfer, update your company documents, get the required approvals and update your UBO register.
Yes. We handle changes to your company name, manager, address or share capital, and update your bank and tax records to match.
Yes. We handle work permits, medical tests, Emirates IDs and visa stamping, plus renewals and cancellations when staff leave.
Yes. We handle Emirates ID applications and renewals, establishment card renewals and visa status changes.
Yes. We cancel your visas, deregister you from VAT and corporate tax, file final returns and cancel your licence in the right order. Closing properly avoids ongoing fines and travel bans.
Yes. We manage the full legal process, from the creditor notice and settling debts to the final accounts and your last corporate tax return.
Licence due soon? Send us the expiry date and we will handle the renewal before the fines start.
Get a QuoteVisas & Other Services
It depends on your situation. Business owners usually need an investor visa, employees need an employment visa, and freelancers can apply for a Green Visa or freelance permit. Investors and skilled professionals may qualify for a Golden Visa.
Yes, once your own residence visa and Emirates ID are issued and you meet the salary and housing requirements. We handle the entry permits, medicals, Emirates IDs and stamping for your spouse and children.
Yes. Private sector employers across the UAE must provide health insurance for their staff. We find a plan that meets the law and fits your budget.
Yes. We help you prepare and register your will, so your UAE assets go to the people you choose.
Yes. We prepare a clear valuation report when you sell shares, bring in investors, settle a partner dispute or restructure your business.
Yes. We help you decide whether to buy personally or through a company, work out the full cost including the 4% Dubai Land Department fee, and explain any tax impact.
Tell us who needs a visa and we will map out the steps, costs and timeline.
Get a Quote