Most business owners in Dubai don’t decide to ignore professional tax advice. Instead, they simply delay it. They plan to sort it out after the next quarter, after the next funding round, or once the business reaches a size that “justifies” the investment. Meanwhile, they manage tax obligations themselves. They rely on a bookkeeper, an accountant with general experience, or their own reading of FTA guidance.

This approach has a cost. In 2026, that cost has become far more visible — and far more expensive.

The FTA conducted 93,000 inspection visits in 2024. That’s a 135% increase over the previous year. Its enforcement infrastructure now covers VAT, Corporate Tax, and excise tax through a single risk-driven analytics system. The FTA’s 2023–2026 Strategy confirms that audit selection is based on risk indicators, not random sampling. As a result, businesses with data inconsistencies, frequent refund claims, or.