Free Zone Compliance: The Impact of MD (229) on UAE Corporate Tax
October 03 2025
The UAE Ministry of Finance has issued Ministerial Decision No. (229) of 2025, clarifying Qualifying and Excluded Activities under Federal Decree-Law No. (47) of 2022 on Corporate Tax. Repealing Ministerial Decision No. (265) of 2023, the new decision provides Free Zone companies with clearer guidance on which activities retain the benefits of the Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) regime, including the 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income.
Retroactive Application and Related Decisions
Although issued in 2025, Ministerial Decision No. (229) applies retroactively from 1 June 2023, coinciding with the effective date of the Corporate Tax Law. Its companion, Ministerial Decision No. (230) of 2025, identifies Recognized Price Reporting Agencies (RPRAs) for determining quoted commodity prices. These RPRAs are essential for Free Zone companies involved in commodity trading, ensuring compliance with the qualifying activity requirements.
Expanded Definition of Qualifying Commodities
Ministerial Decision No. (229) broadens the category of qualifying commodities to include industrial chemicals, environmental commodities such as carbon credits, and associated by-products. The previous limitation requiring commodities to be traded in “raw form” is removed. Instead, compliance depends on whether a commodity has a quoted price on a recognized exchange or through an RPRA, providing greater flexibility for trading and financial structuring.
Revenue-Based Tests and Activity Thresholds
The new decision introduces a 51% revenue threshold: if more than 51% of a Free Zone company’s revenue comes from functions such as warehousing, logistics, or inventory management, the company may lose qualifying status for its commodity trading or related activities. This reinforces the need for businesses to track revenue streams and assess which activities truly qualify under the Free Zone framework.
Clarifying Treasury, Financing, and Distribution Activities
Ministerial Decision No. (229) extends qualifying status to treasury and financing services conducted for the company’s own account, not only for related parties. Distribution activities from Designated Zones are also clarified, and supplies to public benefit entities are expressly included within the qualifying scope. These changes provide companies with more operational flexibility while remaining within the tax-advantaged regime.
Strengthened Compliance and Audit Requirements
Free Zone companies must prepare audited financial statements in accordance with Ministerial Decision No. (84) of 2025. Businesses are required to maintain robust documentation of all qualifying and excluded activities, monitor revenue composition, and be audit-ready. The retrospective application of Ministerial Decision No. (229) means that entities may need to review past corporate tax filings or adjust business practices to maintain compliance.
Practical Implications for Free Zone Businesses
For Free Zone companies, the revised framework offers both clarity and caution. While qualifying activities are better defined and expanded, compliance obligations are stricter, particularly regarding revenue tests and documentation. Companies engaged in commodity trading, distribution, or internal treasury operations should evaluate whether their activities fall within the new definitions and thresholds, and consider adjustments to ensure continued eligibility for the QFZP regime.
At MIS Legal, we help clients navigate the new corporate tax framework by providing clear guidance on compliance requirements, assessing business activities under the QFZP regime, and ensuring that Free Zone companies remain aligned with the latest Ministry of Finance decisions. For more information and support, please reach out on [email protected]
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