Is Dubai Better Than Singapore for SaaS and Software Startups in 2026?
Key Highlights Dubai free zone licenses start from AED 11,900 per year with 0% personal tax, while Singapore charges a flat 17% corporate tax. Qualifying free zone companies in Dubai can pay 0% corporate tax on qualifying income, but only if they meet substance and de minimis conditions. Singapore requires at least one locally resident […]
Software Company Setup in the UK or Dubai: Which Is Best for Founders in 2026?
Key Highlights Dubai free zones offer 0 percent corporate tax on qualifying income, while UK companies pay 19 to 25 percent depending on profit level. Both Dubai mainland and free zone companies allow up to 100 percent foreign ownership, matching UK company ownership rules. The UAE attracted a record AED 177.3 billion in total foreign […]
UAE Corporate Tax Filing: Key Mistakes Businesses Should Avoid (2026 Guide)
Key Highlights Late Corporate Tax registration triggers a flat AED 10,000 penalty, but it’s waivable if you file within 7 months of your first Tax Period end. Over 68,600 UAE businesses had already benefited from the FTA’s penalty waiver as of May 2026, with that number projected to top 91,000. Small Business Relief can zero […]
UAE Corporate Tax Compliance Calendar in UAE: Avoid Missed Deadlines
Key Highlights Corporate tax return and payment timing follows the end of your relevant tax period, not a single annual date for every UAE business. Your Federal Tax Authority-assigned VAT tax period determines when VAT returns and payment fall due. Economic Substance Regulations require a historical and entity-specific compliance review rather than a generic annual […]
Restaurant Trade License in Dubai: Avoid These Setup Mistakes
KEY HIGHLIGHTS Choosing the wrong jurisdiction for your restaurant can force a costly mid-process licence conversion. Free zones generally restrict full-service, dine-in restaurant activities, while mainland licensing does not. A restaurant trade licence requires both a DET commercial licence and a separate Dubai Municipality food permit. JSB reviews your restaurant’s activity and jurisdiction fit before […]
Avoid Costly Delays: The Right Way to Handle Salon Business Setup in Dubai
Key Highlights A salon trade licence requires both Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) approval and a separate facility health inspection before you can legally open. Mainland salon licences allow 100% foreign ownership under Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2020, confirmed by the Ministry of Economy (MOEC), with no local sponsor required for most […]
How to Open a Grocery Store in Dubai Without Setup Delays
Key Highlights A DET trade licence alone does not authorize you to stock or sell food products in Dubai. Most grocery store delays happen after licence issuance, not before it. JSB coordinates trade licence applications and additional government approvals under one process. Most first-time retail entrepreneurs assume a trade licence is the finish line. […]
Corporate Tax Filing UAE Checklist to Avoid Costly Errors
Key highlights Corporate tax filing in the UAE starts with clear records, not just a portal submission. Low revenue or no activity does not automatically remove filing risk for your business. Free zone treatment needs proper review before you rely on a 0% tax position. Early accountant review helps prevent rushed corrections, weak filings, and […]
UAE Corporate Tax for Partnerships and Family Foundations in 2026: FTA Decision No. 5 Explained – Copy
KEY HIGHLIGHTS The FTA can automatically waive the AED 10,000 late corporate tax registration penalty when businesses meet a specific filing condition. Businesses generally have 40 business days from FTA decision notification to submit a formal reconsideration request. The Corporate Tax Public Clarification CTP006 introduced an automatic waiver pathway that removes the need for a […]
How to Start an Education Consultancy in Dubai, UAE: A Beginner’s Guide
KEY HIGHLIGHTS A standard trade licence alone does not authorize you to deliver training or courses in Dubai. The KHDA Educational Services Permit costs between AED 15,000 and AED 25,000 depending on activity count. Initial Approval and Trade Name Reservation must be secured before KHDA reviews your permit application. JSB’s in-house Chartered Accountants and PRO […]