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ComplyYour compliance managerGovernGovernance and board compliance

For firms serving clients

OnboardClient onboarding (KYC/CDD)ShieldClients' regulatory complianceLedgerClients' FTA complianceBecome an Arakan adviserGet clients through Arakan

For setting up

ScoutPlanning your UAE setupAtlasUAE setup reference

Screening, rules and records

VerifySanctions and PEP screeningLexaraUAE rulebook libraryVaultStatutory records storageScopeWhat applies to you
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Explainer videos and demosThe rules as steps, and Arakan at workLexara AcademyDFSA and VARA masterclasses

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LearnUAE compliance, explained
Videos and demosGlossaryBriefingsScenariosAcademyWeeklyAI assistants

In Learn · UAE compliance, explained

Videos and demosGlossaryBriefingsScenariosAcademyWeeklyAI assistants
Start free
Apps

For companies

ComplyGovern

For firms serving clients

OnboardShieldLedgerBecome an Arakan adviser

For setting up

ScoutAtlas

Screening, rules and records

VerifyLexaraVaultScope

Free guides

Free zonesBusiness activitiesUAE laws and rulebooksRegulatory updates
Find the right appAll apps →
Learn

Watch

Explainer videos and demosLexara Academy

Read

Tax and compliance glossaryBriefingsCompliance scenariosLexara Weekly

Use Arakan

In your AI assistantHelp centre
All resources →
Pricing
Sign in
Risk Level: High

The 'Silent' Holding Company Penalty

“Does a dormant holding company with zero profit still need to register for Corporate Tax?”

The Scenario

An investor maintains a 'sleeping' holding company in a Free Zone that only holds real estate assets and generates no active income. The investor assumes that since there is no 'Taxable Income,' there is no need to register.

Statutory Penalty

A 10,000 AED fine for late registration, followed by 10,000 AED for failure to file a 'Nil' tax return. Total exposure for a simple oversight: 20,000+ AED per entity.

Reference: FTA Public Clarification GRP01 & Cabinet Decision 75

The Arakan Fix

Arakan AI scans your entire corporate structure—including dormant shells—to generate a 'Registration Timeline.' It ensures every legal person, regardless of profit, has a valid TRN and a filed return.

  • Real-time Monitoring
  • Audit-Ready Logs
  • Statutory Mapping
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Related Intelligence

Audit Readiness 2026QFZP Definitions

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UAE compliance, from company setup to filing.

Start free in the app you need. One account works across every Arakan app.

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Arakan

UAE compliance, from company setup to filing — for UAE companies and the firms that serve them. 11 apps on one company record.

Platform

  • Product
  • Solutions
  • All apps
  • Use in Claude, ChatGPT, Copilot
  • Explainers and demos
  • Help centre
  • Start free
  • Pricing
  • Security
  • Careers

Resources

  • Briefings
  • Tax and compliance glossary
  • Compliance scenarios
  • Free zone guide
  • Jurisdiction guide
  • Academy and certification

Free tools & guides

  • Free zone rules and tax
  • Free zone costs and visas
  • Mainland licence activities
  • Business activity look-up
  • Laws and rulebooks
  • Regulators
  • Regulatory updates
  • Arakan Lexara Weekly

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service

11 apps

Comply

Your compliance manager

Govern

Governance and board compliance

Onboard

Client onboarding (KYC/CDD)

Shield

Clients' regulatory compliance

Ledger

Clients' FTA compliance

Scout

Planning your UAE setup

Atlas

UAE setup reference

Verify

Sanctions and PEP screening

Lexara

UAE rulebook library

Vault

Statutory records storage

Scope

What applies to you

Business setup by activity

All 2,100+ activities
Trading & ServicesManufacturingReal Estate & Business ServicesPersonal & Social ServicesTransport, Storage & LogisticsConstruction & ContractingFinancial ServicesVirtual AssetsHealth & Social WorkEducationAgriculture & FishingProfessional & Technical ServicesAccommodation & Food ServicesMining & QuarryingUtilities & Energy
Free zone setup costsFree zone price indexSetup cost calculatorMainland vs free zoneWhich zones permit your activity

UAE free zones by emirate

View all
Dubai
DMCCDIFCJAFZADAFZADSODWCDICDubai Media CityDHCCIFZAMeydanDSCDPCDKPDOCDSPD3DIACDCCDubai Maritime CityDWTCGDP
Abu Dhabi
ADGMKEZADMCFZtwofour54ADAFZICADAAIAFZ
Sharjah
SPCSHAMSHFZASAIFSRTIPSHCC
RAK
RAKEZRAK DAO
Ajman
ACMFZAFZAMC
Fujairah
FOIZFCCFFZ
UAQ
UAQIZUAQ FTZ

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Arakan-managed document storage: AWS me-central-1 (UAE).