UAE Corporate Tax Update: New Shareholding Disclosure Requirements Explained

The UAE Corporate Tax Update introduces an important change that businesses should be aware of before filing their Corporate Tax return. The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has added new shareholding disclosure requirements to the Corporate Tax return portal, requiring certain taxpayers to provide additional information about their ownership structure.

If your company is part of a corporate group or multinational enterprise (MNE), preparing these details in advance can help avoid delays and ensure your Corporate Tax return is completed accurately.

In this article, we’ll explain what has changed, which information is now required, and how businesses can prepare for these new disclosure requirements.

What Has Changed?

The Corporate Tax return portal now includes a new Shareholding Details section.

This section requests additional information relating to the ownership structure of the taxable person, including details about the parent company and, where applicable, the multinational enterprise (MNE) group.

The update is designed to provide greater transparency regarding corporate ownership structures.

New Shareholding Information Required

Businesses may now be required to disclose information in three categories.

1. Multinational Enterprise (MNE) Group Details

This section applies only if the taxable person belongs to a multinational enterprise group.

If the company is not part of an MNE group, this section may not be applicable.

2. Ultimate Parent Company Details

The following information is now requested for the ultimate parent company.

Businesses should ensure this information is available before beginning the Corporate Tax return.

3. Immediate Parent Company Details

The Corporate Tax return also requires information relating to the immediate parent company.

If your business forms part of a group structure, collecting this information in advance can make the filing process much smoother.

At a Glance

Who Should Pay Attention to This Update?

These additional disclosures are particularly relevant for:

• Companies that are part of multinational enterprise (MNE) groups
• UAE subsidiaries of overseas companies
• Businesses with holding company structures
• Companies owned by another corporate entity
• International groups operating in the UAE

Even if certain fields are optional, businesses should review the updated Corporate Tax return carefully to determine which information applies to their structure.

Why This Update Matters

Preparing ownership information before starting your Corporate Tax return can help:

• Reduce delays during filing
• Ensure mandatory disclosures are completed
• Improve the accuracy of Corporate Tax returns
• Minimise the need to revisit incomplete filings
• Maintain organised corporate records

For businesses operating within larger group structures, coordination with the parent company may be necessary to obtain the required details.

How Businesses Can Prepare

Before filing your next Corporate Tax return, consider preparing the following:

• Ultimate parent company name
• Country of tax residency of the ultimate parent company
• Immediate parent company name
• Country of tax residency of the immediate parent company
• Tax Identification Numbers (if available)
• Confirmation of whether your company belongs to an MNE group

Having these details readily available can help streamline the filing process.

Practical Tips for Companies

To avoid last-minute issues:

• Review the updated Shareholding section in the Corporate Tax return portal before filing.
• Confirm your current corporate ownership structure.
• Coordinate with overseas parent companies if additional information is required.
• Verify tax residency details before submitting the return.
• Maintain updated corporate records for future filings.

How AB Capital Can Help

Staying compliant with UAE Corporate Tax requires more than simply submitting a tax return. Businesses must keep accurate financial records, understand evolving regulations, and ensure that all mandatory disclosures, including the newly introduced shareholding information, are completed correctly and on time. Preparing the required documentation in advance can help reduce delays and make the filing process more efficient.

At AB Capital Services, Dubai, we support startups, SMEs, and multinational businesses with Company Formation, Corporate Tax registration and filing, accounting and bookkeeping, VAT services, financial reporting, business advisory, and ongoing regulatory compliance. Our goal is to help businesses navigate the UAE’s tax landscape with confidence while remaining fully compliant with the latest requirements.

The firm is led by Bharat Bajaj, Founder and CEO of AB Capital Services FZE, who brings more than 20 years of experience in finance, accounting, taxation, commercial operations, and business strategy. Before founding AB Capital, Bharat spent 18 years in senior finance and commercial roles with leading multinational organisations, gaining extensive experience across the Indian and Middle Eastern markets. His vision for AB Capital is to provide businesses with practical, end-to-end financial and corporate solutions, helping entrepreneurs and companies focus on growth while ensuring their financial and compliance obligations are managed efficiently.

Final Thoughts

This UAE Corporate Tax Update highlights the importance of keeping corporate ownership information up to date. The newly introduced shareholding disclosure requirements add another step to the Corporate Tax filing process, particularly for companies that are part of a group or multinational enterprise.

Businesses should review the updated Shareholding Details section of the Corporate Tax return portal, identify the information that applies to their structure, and collect the necessary details before filing. Proper preparation can help ensure a smoother and more efficient Corporate Tax compliance process.