UAE Corporate Tax Revenue Hits AED 46.52bn: What the FTA Figures Mean

On 11 November 2026, the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) published its latest revenue and compliance figures, reported by WAM the same day. Corporate Tax collected for tax periods ending in the 2025 financial year came to approximately AED 46.52 billion, up 33.9% from approximately AED 34.75 billion for periods ending in 2024. Total Corporate Tax collected since the tax was introduced, up to the end of 2025, is approximately AED 81.27 billion.

VAT revenue distributed to the Federal and Emirate governments for tax periods from January to August 2026 was approximately AED 28.27 billion. Excise Tax over the same period was approximately AED 1.4 billion. The FTA did not publish comparable VAT or Excise figures for the same months of 2025, so those numbers do not show a year-on-year change.

For most SMB owners the revenue totals are background. The compliance rates are the part worth reading, because they show where businesses still slip.

How many UAE businesses file and pay on time?

The FTA reported a rise in on-time filing for all three taxes. Payment compliance is higher than filing compliance in every case.

Read the other way round, roughly 1 in 11 Corporate Tax returns and about 1 in 6 VAT returns were not filed on time in 2026. It fits with what we saw in our own UAE Corporate Tax survey, where 17.5% of businesses surveyed had not filed a required return, and 26.7% of those who filed did so on 30 September, the last day.

Why is VAT filing behind payment?

The FTA does not give a reason. One practical point is that filing and paying are separate obligations. A business can pay the tax it expects to owe and still miss the return, and a late return attracts its own administrative penalty even when the money arrived on time.

VAT also comes round more often than Corporate Tax. Most SMBs file quarterly, some monthly, so there are more deadlines to miss. If you are not sure which cycle your business is on, our guide to UAE VAT return periods explains the quarterly filing cycles and their deadlines.

Which deadlines are coming up?

The FTA’s current notices list two dates this month:

• 16 November 2026: Excise Tax return deadline.
• 30 November 2026: VAT return deadline, for businesses whose return falls due on that date.

For Corporate Tax, returns and payment are generally due within nine months of the end of the tax period. A business with a financial year ending 31 March 2026, for example, has until 31 December 2026. Our guide to Corporate Tax and Small Business Relief filing explains how filing works when you claim Small Business Relief.

What should SMB owners and accountants check now?

First, confirm your VAT period and due date in EmaraTax rather than relying on memory. If your return is due on 30 November, close October’s books early so sales, purchases and input VAT are reconciled before you start the return. Our step-by-step VAT filing guide walks through each box.

Second, treat filing and payment as two tasks with two checks. Submitting the return and paying the balance are both needed to be compliant.

Third, if your Corporate Tax period ends on 31 March or another non-December date, put the nine-month deadline in your calendar now. The Corporate Tax overview explains the 0% band up to AED 375,000 of taxable income and the 9% rate above it.

Naqood is FTA-accredited accounting software for UAE businesses. Keeping invoices, bills and bank transactions in one ledger means your VAT and Corporate Tax figures are ready when the deadline comes, not the night before.

FAQ

How much Corporate Tax did the UAE collect for 2025?

According to the FTA, Corporate Tax collected for tax periods ending in the 2025 financial year was approximately AED 46.52 billion, up 33.9% from approximately AED 34.75 billion for 2024.

What share of UAE VAT returns are filed on time?

The FTA reported that 83% of VAT returns were filed on time in 2026, up from 81% in 2025. The on-time VAT payment rate was 98%.

When is the next UAE VAT return deadline?

The FTA lists 30 November 2026 as the VAT return deadline for businesses whose return falls due on that date. Check your own tax period in EmaraTax, as it depends on the stagger assigned to your business.

Sources

• Emirates News Agency (WAM), “FTA announces corporate tax, VAT, excise tax, tax compliance rate statistics”, 11 November 2026
• Gulf News, “UAE corporate tax collections jump 34% to Dh46.5 billion as more businesses file on time”, 11 November 2026
• Khaleej Times, “UAE Corporate Tax revenue jumps 33.9% to Dh46.52 billion in 2025”, 11 November 2026
• Federal Tax Authority, important announcements (Excise Tax and VAT return deadlines)

This post is for general information and does not constitute tax or legal advice. For how the rules apply to your specific situation, consult a qualified UAE tax adviser. Naqood is an FTA-accredited accounting platform for UAE businesses.