The UAE tax advisory market grew overnight with Corporate Tax. Many providers are new, some are excellent, and a few are outright risky. If you plan to work with your consultant fully online — as most UAE SMEs now do — use this checklist to hire safely.
On this page
Must-have credentials
- Practitioner qualifications (ACCA, CA, CPA or equivalent)
- FTA Tax Agent or working with a registered Tax Agency for Tax Agent services
- Local UAE presence — reachable during UAE business hours
- Named professional indemnity insurance
Trust signals that matter online
- Transparent, published pricing — no 'contact for quote' games
- Named lead accountant, not just a call centre
- Secure document exchange (encrypted portal, not WhatsApp images alone)
- Written engagement letter listing scope, price and turnaround
- Real client reviews with names and industries — not stock photos
Response and turnaround SLAs
- First response within 1 UAE business hour on WhatsApp / email
- VAT return draft within 5 business days of receiving data
- Corporate Tax return draft within 15 business days of clean trial balance
- Emergency support before every FTA deadline
Red flags
- Prices that look too good to be true (below AED 300 for VAT filing)
- No physical UAE address or landline
- Pressure to pay in cash
- Promises of 'zero tax guaranteed' — nobody can promise that
100% online is now the UAE norm — but 100% online must never mean 100% anonymous. Insist on named humans, real credentials and clear paper trails.
Get compliant today
Named accountant · Transparent pricing · 100% online
Talk to a Tax Easy UAE specialist — quick callback, transparent pricing, FTA-aligned filings.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to common UAE sme questions.
This article is for general guidance only and reflects FTA rules as of June 2026. Always confirm your specific position with a qualified UAE tax advisor.