Tax Advisory
UAE & GCC
Practical tax advisory for businesses operating in the UAE and across the GCC. We help companies navigate UAE corporate tax, VAT compliance, tax due diligence for M&A transactions, and international tax structuring. CFA and Chartered Accountant-led. Fixed fee. No surprises.
Practical Tax Advice for UAE & GCC Businesses
From corporate tax compliance to pre-deal tax due diligence, we cover the full tax advisory spectrum for mid-market businesses and investors operating in the UAE and GCC.
The UAE introduced a 9% corporate tax regime in 2023. We help businesses assess their CT exposure, register with the FTA, structure their group for optimal efficiency, and manage their ongoing compliance obligations — including transfer pricing documentation.
VAT in the UAE is 5% but the compliance landscape is more complex than the headline rate suggests — particularly for businesses with cross-border supplies, exempt sectors, or complex input tax recovery positions. We advise on registration, structuring, and FTA dispute resolution.
Before completing an acquisition in the UAE or GCC, buyers need to understand the target's full tax exposure — not just the headline profit. We conduct independent tax due diligence reviews covering CT, VAT, withholding tax, and cross-border tax risks that could affect the deal price or structure.
Businesses operating across GCC borders or with international operations may be entitled to reclaim withholding taxes and excess VAT payments. We identify and pursue legitimate reclaim opportunities — including FTA refund applications and treaty-based withholding tax recoveries.
Tax Advice That Connects to
Your Commercial Reality
Most tax advisors focus on compliance. We focus on the commercial impact of your tax position — whether that's structuring a deal, defending an FTA audit, or making sure your free zone status actually holds up.
Every engagement is handled directly by a CFA Charterholder and Chartered Accountant with Big 4 training. You won't be passed to a junior team after the pitch.
Because we also do M&A advisory and financial due diligence, our tax due diligence integrates seamlessly with the broader deal process — saving time and reducing gaps between workstreams.
All engagements are quoted on a fixed-fee basis before work begins. Our incentive is to do the work efficiently and well — not to run the clock.
Tax Advisory
Frequently Asked Questions
What taxes apply to businesses in the UAE?
The main taxes are Corporate Tax at 9% on taxable income above AED 375,000 (0% below, and 0% for free zone entities on qualifying income), VAT at 5% on most goods and services, excise tax on specific products, and customs duties on imports. There is no personal income tax. Large multinational groups face a 15% Pillar Two minimum tax from 2025. The UAE also has over 140 double tax treaties relevant to cross-border structures.
Why do UAE businesses need a tax advisor now?
Until recently the UAE was effectively tax-free for most businesses. With Corporate Tax, transfer pricing rules, expanding FTA audit activity, and free zone qualifying income tests, tax has become a real financial and compliance risk. The businesses most exposed are owner-managed groups with related-party transactions, free zone entities with mainland revenue, and companies entering M&A transactions where historic tax positions become deal liabilities.
How does Corvian Advisory charge for tax work?
Fixed fees agreed before work begins for defined-scope engagements such as CT registration and filings, VAT health checks, and tax due diligence. Recovery-linked pricing is available for reclaim work. Tax advisory is integrated with our M&A, valuation, and due diligence services, which matters because most significant UAE tax decisions arise inside transactions.