BREAKING NEWS: UAE Offers Corporate Tax Penalty Relief – But You Must Act Fast to Qualify
Amie Roberts • May 1, 2025
BIG NEWS for UAE Business Owners!
If you’ve missed your Corporate Tax registration deadline or already paid the AED 10,000 fine, there’s now a golden opportunity to waive or reclaim that penalty — but only if you act quickly.
Book a Call
In a recent move to support businesses during the first year of the UAE’s Corporate Tax rollout, the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has announced a limited-time grace period. The initiative allows eligible businesses to apply for a full penalty waiver if they file their Corporate Tax return early.
This is a major relief for thousands of companies who have either:
- Missed their Corporate Tax registration deadline, or
- Registered late and were hit with the AED 10,000 fine
Why is this happening?
This initiative is part of a broader effort by the Ministry of Finance and the FTA to ease the transition into the new Corporate Tax system and promote long-term compliance.
What You Need to Know:
- Deadline for the waiver: July 31, 2025
- BUT: You must file your return well ahead of your official tax deadline to qualify.
- Don’t wait – gathering your financial records and preparing your tax return can take time.
- For most businesses operating on a calendar year basis (Jan–Dec), that means filing within the next couple of months.
Who qualifies for the penalty waiver?
If you’re asking:
“Can I get a refund on my Corporate Tax late registration fine in the UAE?”
“Is it possible to waive the AED 10,000 Corporate Tax penalty?”
“How do I apply for the UAE Corporate Tax penalty relief?”
Then the answer is – yes, you may be eligible. But there’s a catch: you must file your tax return early, ahead of your normal deadline. This is not automatic, and if you miss the window, the fine will not be waived or refunded.
Why early filing matters:
The FTA has made it clear: early compliance is the only route to relief. This means:
- Completing your Corporate Tax registration (if not already done)
- Preparing your financials for your first tax year
- Submitting your Corporate Tax return well before the deadline
This one-time waiver won’t be repeated – so don’t leave it until the last minute.
How Mosaic Chambers Group can help:
At Mosaic Chambers Group, our FTA-certified tax advisors and consultants are ready to guide you through the entire process. Whether you need advice on:
- Understanding your eligibility
- Filing your Corporate Tax return early
- Claiming your AED 10,000 fine refund
- Or ensuring future tax compliance
We’re here to take the stress out of Corporate Tax.
Book a free consultation today and get expert support from our team. Click here
to get in touch or below to book your call.
Discover how to apply for a UAE Partner Visa and prepare for relocation to Dubai. Expert tax, company setup, property, and wealth support from Mosaic Chambers Group.
Who Are the HENRYs? HENRYs—an acronym for High Earners, Not Rich Yet—represent individuals or households with substantial incomes but little net wealth or savings. HENRYs typically earn between $250,000 and $500,000, yet struggle to build significant wealth due to high expenses and obligations In the UK context, HENRYs generally earn over £100,000, but find themselves stretched thin by rising costs, taxes, and societal expectations A detailed view highlights the paradox: high salaries masked by minimal savings, persistent debt, and heavy financial responsibilities, making many HENRYs still feel like they’re living paycheck to paycheck “Despite earning salaries over £100,000 … many Britons — now dubbed ‘Henrys’ … are struggling financially.” Times Why It’s Difficult Being a HENRY in the UK Punitive Tax Structures Earning over £100,000 results in the gradual loss of personal allowance, leading to marginal tax rates up to 60–71%, when combined with national insurance and student loan repayments Loss of Family Benefits Crossing income thresholds often disqualifies HENRYs from benefits like tax-free childcare, further increasing household costs Lifestyle Creep & High Fixed Costs Many HENRYs live in high-cost areas, shoulder big mortgages or rent, pay for childcare, and support family members. These pressures leave little room for savings or investments Five Practical Fixes for HENRYs 1. Set Clear Financial Goals Define short- and long-term objectives (e.g. early retirement, buying property, relocation) to guide your financial decisions 2. Track and Control Expenses Use budgeting tools or spreadsheets to identify unnecessary spending and reinforce disciplined financial habits 3. Automate Savings & Investments Automating transfers to savings, ISAs, or pensions ensures consistent wealth-building, even without active effort 4. Proactive Tax Planning Work with advisers to reduce tax liabilities through pension contributions, ISAs, or bespoke strategies. This can keep more income working for you 5. Seek Professional Advice Financial planners can help HENRYs manage complexity—pension strategies, legacy planning, investment advice, and global mobility for expatriates Is Relocating Abroad the Solution? For HENRYs, moving abroad may offer a chance to stretch income further, but it comes with pros and cons. Advantages Tax incentives and lower cost of living in destinations like Portugal, UAE, or Singapore could improve saving potential and lifestyle quality. Expat financial services and advisers specialise in tax optimisation, wealth protection, and cross-border planning Considerations Visa and residency costs, potential language or cultural barriers, and the need for local compliance can complicate relocation. Healthcare, schooling, and lifestyle preferences may vary dramatically by country. Not every foreign jurisdiction offers strong pension or investment environments suited to long-term planning. For those favouring staying in the UK, cost-of-living pressures and high taxation can still be mitigated with proactive wealth strategies and advisory support. Final Thoughts Being a HENRY doesn’t mean you’re on a clear path to wealth, even with a six-figure income. The combination of high taxes, lifestyle demands, and complex financial obligations means smart planning is vital. Whether you choose to stay in the UK or explore opportunities abroad, your focus should be on building wealth, not just earning. Take action today: define your goals, track your spending, automate your savings, plan your taxes, and seek expert guidance. Feeling like a HENRY? High salary, but wealth isn’t growing? Our global advisers can help, whether you want to stay in the UK with smarter tax and wealth strategies or explore relocation options abroad for lower taxes and a better lifestyle.