15 September 2026 · Dubai FAQ
Reprice Compliance Risk for Dubai Businesses
The 2026 changes shift the risk maths for a Dubai business. Ordinary slip-ups, such as a late filing or a record-keeping gap, now cost less under Cabinet Decision 129 of 2025. But the FTA can look back 15 years on evasion and non-registration under FDL 17 of 2025, and there is a window to reclaim old expired credits before 31 December 2026. The move is not to relax but to reprioritise: fix the high-stakes exposure, extend record retention, and recover money that is genuinely reclaimable this year.
Exiloz Management & Tax Consultant · Dubai-based FTA-focused advisory · VAT, corporate tax & accounting
Ordinary slip-ups
Cheaper, not free.
- Several fixed penalties fell.
- Arabic-records failure now AED 5,000.
- Proportionality is the theme.
- The obligation still stands.
Serious cases
The stakes went up.
- 15-year window for evasion.
- Same for non-registration.
- Register and correct errors early.
- Keep records far longer.
Reprioritise now
Act on the high-value items.
- Close registration and evasion exposure.
- Extend record retention policy.
- Reclaim pre-2026 expired credits.
- Use voluntary disclosure where it helps.
Related guides
Frequently Asked Questions
For Dubai finance leaders.
Does the reset make compliance cheaper?
For ordinary slip-ups, yes, several fixed penalties fell under Cabinet Decision 129 of 2025. But serious cases carry more risk now because the FTA can look back 15 years, so the overall picture is mixed.
What should a Dubai business prioritise?
Close any registration or evasion exposure first, since those open the 15-year window. Then extend record retention and reclaim any pre-2026 expired credits before the 2026 window closes.
Should we relax on penalties now?
No. The lower amounts are for ordinary failures; the obligations are unchanged and serious cases got riskier. The smarter move is to reprioritise, not to relax.
Is voluntary disclosure still worth it?
Usually yes. Correcting an error yourself before the FTA finds it is almost always cheaper than an assessment, especially with the longer audit window in play.
Is there money to recover this year?
Possibly. The transition window to roughly 31 December 2026 lets you reclaim pre-2026 expired credits. It is worth combing the ledger before it closes.
Can Exiloz build our 2026 compliance plan?
Yes. We reprice your risk, close the high-stakes exposure, extend retention, and recover reclaimable credits before year-end.
Reprice your risk
Exiloz builds a 2026 compliance plan that lowers cost and closes the high-stakes exposure.