How to File Financial Statements with UAE Authorities: A Practical Guide

Once your external audit is complete and you have that signed "Independent Auditor's Report" in hand, your job isn't quite finished. You usually need to submit it to someone. In the UAE's fragmented regulatory environment, "where do I upload this?" is a common question.

This guide provides practical instructions for filing your financial statements with the major UAE authorities. Make sure your external audit is completed before attempting to file.

1. Ministry of Economy (MoE)

For Mainland Companies & DNFBPs

Platform: Ministry of Economy Website / AML Portal When to File: typically upon request or during inspection, unless you are a PJSC (mandatory periodic filing).

Procedure:

1. Digitize: Ensure your audit report is a high-quality PDF with clear signatures and stamps.
2. UBO Verification: Often submitted alongside the UBO declaration.
3. Retention: You must physically keep the signed original for 5 years (10 years for real estate/law firms) at your registered office. The MoE Inspector will ask to see the physical copy during a site visit.

MoE Portal Access Tips

• Registration: You need an Emirates ID and UAE Pass for portal access.
• Corporate Access: The authorized signatory (as per trade license) must register first.
• Common Error: "User not authorized" often means the Emirates ID doesn't match the license records. Update your license with DED first.

2. DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre)

For DMCC Free Zone Members

Platform: DMCC Member Portal (Salesforce) Deadline: 90 days after year-end.

Procedure:

1. Log in to the DMCC Member Portal.
2. Go to "Company Services" -> "Compliance Services".
3. Select "Submit Audited Financials".
4. Data Entry: You must manually key in summary figures (Total Assets, Revenue, Net Profit) from your report into the portal forms.
5. Upload: Attach the full PDF audit report.
6. Submit: You will receive a Service Request (SR) number. Tracking implies approval usually takes 3-5 days.

Common Rejection Reasons:

• Uploading a draft instead of signed final.
• Discrepancy between keyed-in figures and the PDF.
• Audit firm not on the approved list (Farahat & Co is approved).
• Missing Arabic translation (required for certain cases).
• File too large (keep under 10MB).

DMCC Troubleshooting

Problem: "Service not available" error Solution: Clear browser cache, use Chrome, or try during off-peak hours (before 10am UAE time).

Problem: Cannot find "Submit Audited Financials" option Solution: Your company may have an outstanding payment blocking services. Check the Finance section for pending invoices.

3. JAFZA (Jebel Ali Free Zone)

For JAFZA Companies

Platform: Dubai Trade Portal Deadline: 90 days after year-end.

Procedure:

1. Auditor Action: Uniquely, in JAFZA, your auditor often uploads the summary.
2. The "JAFZA Summary Sheet": Your auditor must prepare a specific 1-page summary on their letterhead.
3. Upload: Depending on current portal settings, either the company or the auditor uploads this summary via Dubai Trade.
4. No Penalty Certificate: If late, you must apply for this (and pay the fine) before you can submit.

JAFZA Summary Sheet Requirements

The summary must include:

• Company name and license number
• Financial year covered
• Total assets, liabilities, and equity
• Revenue and net profit/loss
• Auditor's opinion (clean, qualified, etc.)
• Auditor firm stamp and signature

4. DAFZA (Dubai Airport Free Zone)

For DAFZA Companies

Platform: DAFZA Member Portal Deadline: 90 days after year-end.

Procedure:

1. Log in to the DAFZA Portal with your credentials.
2. Navigate to "Audit Submission" under Company Services.
3. Upload the complete PDF of audited financial statements.
4. Key in summary figures if prompted.
5. Submit and save the confirmation number.

DAFZA Tips

• DAFZA accepts English-only reports without Arabic translation.
• If your company is dormant, you still need to submit a "Dormant Entity" confirmation from your auditor.

5. Corporate Tax (EmiraTax)

For All Taxable Persons

Platform: Federal Tax Authority (EmiraTax) Portal Deadline: 9 months after year-end.

Procedure:

1. The filing is done via the Corporate Tax Return (Form CT01).
2. Upload: You do NOT always upload the full PDF audit report.
3. Declaration: You verify check-boxes confirming that accounts are audited.
4. Submission: However, the FTA has the right to request the full PDF audit report within 5 business days of return submission. It must be ready. Our tax consultation services can help ensure your Corporate Tax filings align perfectly with your audited financials.

When Full Audit Upload is Required

• Revenue exceeds AED 50 million.
• You are claiming Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) status.
• The FTA makes a specific request during a tax audit.

6. Banks (For Loans/Facilities)

For Companies with Credit Facilities

Procedure:

1. Banks typically do not use a portal.
2. Direct Email: Send the PDF to your Relationship Manager.
3. Hard Copy: Many UAE banks still require one original signed hard copy for their credit file.
4. Covenant Check: Ensure your result meets any loan covenants (e.g., Debt/Equity ratio < 2.0) before sending.

Bank-Specific Requirements

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General Tips for Smooth Filing

File Naming Convention

Don't name your file scan001.pdf. Use a professional standard: [Company Name] - Audited Financial Statements - FY[Year].pdf Example: ABC Trading LLC - Audited Financial Statements - FY2024.pdf

Resolution Quality

Ensure the scan is legible but not 50MB. Compressed PDFs (2-5MB) are preferred by government portals.

Keep the Originals

Store your original "wet ink" signed copies in a fireproof safe. These are your ultimate proof of compliance in legal disputes.

Version Control

Always date your files. If you make post-audit corrections, name them clearly: [Company Name] - Audited Financial Statements - FY2024 - FINAL.pdf

7. ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market)

For ADGM Registered Companies

Platform: ADGM Portal Deadline: 6 months after year-end (for most entities).

Procedure:

1. Log in to the ADGM Registration Authority portal.
2. Navigate to "Annual Return" section.
3. Upload audited financial statements as part of the annual return.
4. Pay the annual renewal fee.
5. Submit and receive confirmation.

Important Notes:

• ADGM follows IFRS strictly—ensure your auditor is familiar with ADGM-specific disclosure requirements.
• Some SPVs and holding companies may qualify for audit exemptions under ADGM regulations.

8. RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone)

For RAKEZ Companies

Platform: RAKEZ Portal Deadline: Usually 90-120 days after year-end.

Procedure:

1. Log in to the RAKEZ client portal.
2. Go to "Compliance" or "Document Submission".
3. Upload the signed PDF audit report.
4. Await confirmation email (typically 2-3 business days).

RAKEZ Tips:

• RAKEZ is generally less stringent on format than DMCC.
• Dormant companies can submit a simplified auditor confirmation letter.
• Keep the submission receipt for license renewal.

Deadline Summary Table

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Pro Tip: Set calendar reminders 30 days before each deadline.

Common Filing Mistakes to Avoid

1. Uploading Draft Reports

Always check for the final "Opinion" paragraph and wet signatures. Draft watermarks = automatic rejection.

2. Mismatched Figures

If you key in AED 1,000,000 but the PDF shows AED 1,000,0000 (extra zero), expect rejection.

3. Wrong Financial Year

Ensure the audit report covers the correct period. A December 2023 report won't satisfy a 2024 renewal requirement.

4. Expired Auditor License

Verify your auditor's MoE license is current. An expired license invalidates the entire audit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I miss the filing deadline?

Most Free Zones impose immediate penalties (AED 5,000 for DMCC/JAFZA). Pay the fine first, then submit. The FTA may also ask for explanations if Corporate Tax returns are late.

Can my auditor submit on my behalf?

For JAFZA, yes—auditors can submit directly. For DMCC and most other zones, the company (via its portal login) must submit. However, you can grant Power of Attorney to a PRO service provider.

Do I need to submit if my company had no revenue?

Yes. Even dormant or zero-revenue companies must submit NIL audits or dormancy confirmations. The requirement is about financial accountability, not just taxation.

What format should the audit report be in?

PDF is universal. Some banks may request Excel exports of key figures. Never submit Word documents—they can be edited and are not legally credible.

Can I submit in Arabic only?

For government bodies (MoE, FTA), Arabic is accepted. Free Zones generally accept English. Banks prefer English. If unsure, submit bilingual reports.

What if my portal login doesn't work?

Contact the authority's IT helpdesk. For Free Zones, the issue is often linked to unpaid fees or outdated Emirates ID records. Resolve underlying issues before deadline.

How do I prove I submitted if the portal crashes?

Take screenshots of every step. Email the PDF to your relationship manager at the authority as backup. Keep a written record of submission attempts.

Related Resources

Ensure smooth compliance filing with these helpful resources:

• External Audit Services - Get Ministry-approved audit reports ready for submission
• DMCC Audit Requirements Guide - Detailed guide for DMCC free zone companies
• JAFZA Audit Services Guide - Everything you need to know about JAFZA audit compliance
• UAE Audit Deadlines 2025 - Complete calendar of filing deadlines
• Top 10 Audit Firms in Dubai - Choose the right audit firm for hassle-free compliance

Need Help Filing? Farahat & Co provides company secretarial services to handle these submissions for you. We ensure the right document goes to the right portal, on time, every time.