Business Structuring Services
The structure you choose decides where you can trade, how much tax you pay and how easily you can bring in partners or sell. We design it with corporate tax, VAT and licensing in mind.
- Mainland, free zone, holdingOptions
- Tax groups, restructuring reliefCT tools
- Written structure planOutcome
How it works in the UAE
A good structure balances operational needs and tax. A trading company serving UAE customers may need a mainland licence, while a holding company, IP owner or regional HQ may sit better in a free zone. Corporate tax adds tax groups, qualifying group relief and business restructuring relief, each with conditions.
We look at where you sell, who owns the business and your plans for the next five years, then recommend a structure and the steps to get there.
What the service includes
Business structure assessment
Review of your current entities and activities.
Company formation structuring
Choosing jurisdiction, legal form and shareholding.
Corporate restructuring
Mergers, transfers and spin offs with tax relief where possible.
Holding company setup
Structures for investments and group ownership.
Tax groups and relief
Assessing corporate tax and VAT grouping.
Implementation
Licences, agreements and registrations to put the plan in place.
Who it is for
- Owners with several companies
- Founders bringing in investors
- Groups expanding into the UAE
- Businesses preparing for sale
How we work with you
Understand
Current structure and goals reviewed.
Design
Options compared with tax and cost.
Plan
Step plan and timetable agreed.
Implement
Registrations and documents completed.
Documents we usually need
- Trade licences of all entities
- Shareholding and group charts
- Financial statements
- Business plan or growth objectives
We confirm the exact list after a short review, as requirements vary by authority and case.
Questions we hear often
Should I set up in mainland or a free zone?
It depends on your customers and activity. Our blog post on mainland, free zone and offshore compares them in detail.
Can UAE companies form a tax group?
Yes, for corporate tax, resident companies with 95% common ownership and the same year end can form a tax group, subject to conditions. Free zone persons and exempt persons cannot join.
Is restructuring taxable?
Transfers within a qualifying group or under business restructuring relief can be tax neutral if conditions are met, including holding periods.
Do you handle the licensing side too?
Yes. Our business setup team handles licences and visas.
Related services
Get a fixed quote for business structuring
Tell us a little about your business. We will reply within one business day with what is needed, the timeline and a fixed fee.
- Straight answers from qualified accountants and tax agents
- Fixed fees agreed before we start
- Office in Al Fahidi, Dubai, and support across the UAE
An adviser will be in touch shortly. For anything urgent, message us on WhatsApp or call +971 56 505 9557.