Is an audit mandatory for my UAE company?
For corporate tax, UAE businesses need audited financial statements if revenue exceeds AED 50 million or they want the 0% Qualifying Free Zone Person rate. Separately, many free zones and some licensing authorities require an annual audit for licence renewal regardless of size.
Reviewed by Countify's ACCA/FCCA chartered certified accountants · Updated
- Audited financial statements required
- No
No audit is required for corporate tax. You still need IFRS-based financial statements (IFRS for SMEs below AED 50m revenue) to support your return.
Results are estimates for general information, not tailored advice.
When an audit is required
Mainland company, not a QFZP.
| Revenue | Audited financial statements required |
|---|---|
| AED 8,000,000 | No |
| AED 50,000,000 | No |
| AED 60,000,000 | Yes |
Free zone licence rules often require an audit at any size.
The rules
Ministerial Decision No. 82 of 2023 requires audited financial statements for corporate tax from businesses with revenue above AED 50 million in the tax period and from all Qualifying Free Zone Persons. Free zone regulations (for example DMCC, JAFZA, DAFZA, RAKEZ) often require audited accounts every year, and banks and investors frequently ask for them too.
Preparing for the audit
Auditors need reconciled books and IFRS financial statements. Our audit preparation service gets everything ready so the audit runs on time and you avoid a qualified opinion, which could put QFZP status at risk.
Legal basis
We review this calculator whenever the FTA or Ministry of Finance issues a new decision or clarification.
Frequently asked questions
Is audit mandatory for mainland companies in the UAE?
For corporate tax, only above AED 50 million of revenue. Some mainland authorities and banks still require audited accounts.
Do all free zone companies need an audit?
Qualifying Free Zone Persons do for corporate tax, and many free zones require it for licence renewal anyway.
Audit preparation
We get your books audit-ready, prepare IFRS financial statements and work with your auditor so the audit is clean and on time.