13 July 2026 · Who's Caught
Who Needs Audited Financial Statements?
Under Ministerial Decision 84 of 2025, three groups must maintain audited financial statements for corporate tax: any taxable person with revenue over AED 50 million in the tax period, every Qualifying Free Zone Person regardless of revenue, and every Tax Group (audited special-purpose statements). Others are not required to audit for corporate tax, but may still need audited accounts for their licence or bank.
Exiloz Management & Tax Consultant · Dubai-based FTA-focused advisory · VAT, corporate tax & accounting
When an audit is mandatory
Size, free-zone status or grouping brings you in.
- Revenue over AED 50 million in the tax period.
- Qualifying Free Zone Person, any revenue.
- Membership of a Tax Group.
- Applies from tax periods starting 1 Jan 2025.
When it is not required for CT
Small standalone companies may be outside the rule.
- Below AED 50m and not a QFZP or group member.
- Still may need audited accounts for licence renewal.
- Banks may require them for facilities.
- An audit still helps in an FTA review.
Frequently Asked Questions
For deciding whether the rule applies to you.
Is a small company exempt from audit?
For corporate tax, a company below AED 50m that is not a QFZP or tax-group member need not audit, though its licence or bank may still require it.
Does a free-zone company always audit?
Every Qualifying Free Zone Person must have audited financial statements regardless of revenue.
What about a branch of a foreign company?
Non-residents count only their UAE PE or nexus revenue toward the AED 50 million threshold.
Can Exiloz confirm my status?
Yes. We check your revenue, free-zone status and grouping and tell you if an audit is mandatory.
Find out if you must audit
Exiloz confirms in one check whether your business needs audited financial statements.