Dubai Firm 15% in Tax Costs Saved: A Ghalib Consulting Case Study

Case Study: How Ghalib Consulting Saved a Dubai Firm 15% in Tax Costs

Introduction: When a Dubai Firm Faced a Tax Crisis

It was a humid September morning in Al Khobar when the call came through. A Dubai-based trading firm, operating out of one of the emirate’s prominent free zones, was staring down a financial headache. They had just received their first corporate tax projection under the UAE’s new 9% regime, and the number was alarming. Without intervention, they were looking at a significant tax liability that would eat into their hard-earned profits.

This is the story of how Ghalib Consulting stepped in, rolled up our sleeves, and helped that Dubai Firm 15% in Tax Costs reduction—turning a potential financial burden into a strategic advantage. More importantly, it’s a roadmap for how your business can achieve similar results.

Since the UAE introduced Corporate Tax in June 2023, the business landscape has transformed. But as we discovered with this client, the new regulations aren’t just about compliance—they’re about opportunity .

The Client: A Growing Trading Firm in a Dubai Free Zone

Our client, whom we’ll call “Gulf Trading Solutions” (name changed for confidentiality), had been operating in Dubai for nearly eight years. They specialized in wholesale trading of industrial equipment, sourcing goods from Asia and distributing them across the Middle East. With annual profits consistently exceeding the AED 375,000 threshold, they were squarely within the UAE’s corporate tax net .

The company profile:

• Structure: Free Zone Entity (Qualifying Free Zone Person status pending review)
• Sector: Industrial Trading
• Annual Revenue: Approximately AED 18 million
• Key Challenge: Potential 9% tax liability on full profits due to non-compliance with QFZP conditions

When they approached us, their in-house finance team had already prepared for a tax payment of nearly AED 200,000. They accepted this as the “new cost of doing business in Dubai.”

But we saw things differently.

The Problem: Why This Dubai Firm Was Paying Too Much Tax

The UAE’s Corporate Tax Law is nuanced. While the headline rate is 9%, Qualifying Free Zone Persons (QFZPs) can benefit from 0% tax on qualifying income—provided they meet strict conditions . Our client wasn’t fully compliant.

Three Critical Gaps We Identified

1. Non-Qualifying Revenue Exceeded the Threshold
   Under QFZP rules, non-qualifying income must stay below 5% of total revenue or AED 5 million, whichever is lower . Gulf Trading Solutions was inadvertently earning about 8% of their revenue from mainland UAE clients—pushing them outside the 0% tax bracket.
2. Transfer Pricing Documentation Was Missing
   The client had transactions with related parties in Asia but no transfer pricing documentation in place. Under OECD-aligned UAE rules, this was a red flag for the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) .
3. Missed Deductions in Expense Categorization
   A review of their financial statements revealed that thousands of dirhams in legitimate business expenses—ranging from pre-contract feasibility costs to certain employee benefits—were being incorrectly classified, inflating their taxable profit .

The Solution: Ghalib Consulting’s Strategic Intervention

Our team at Ghalib Consulting, led by founder Ghalib Kazmi (a PwC alumnus with 17+ years of experience), implemented a three-phase strategy to rescue the Dubai Firm 15% in Tax Costs savings.

Phase 1: QFZP Recalibration

We conducted a deep dive into their revenue streams. By restructuring how they contracted with two mainland clients—shifting from direct sales to agency arrangements channeled through the free zone—we reduced their non-qualifying revenue from 8% to just 3%.

The result: They regained eligibility for 0% tax on their core income, immediately slashing their potential liability .

Phase 2: Transfer Pricing Compliance

We prepared comprehensive transfer pricing documentation that aligned with OECD guidelines and UAE Cabinet Decisions. This didn’t just protect them from future penalties—it allowed them to justify profit allocations to their offshore entities, reducing UAE taxable income legitimately .

Phase 3: Expense Reclassification & Strategic Elections

This is where the “human touch” of advisory made the difference. Our team sat with their procurement and HR departments, identifying:

• Lease structuring: We advised on renegotiating their office lease to maximize deductions under the new tax rules.
• Employee benefits: Certain gratuity and benefit provisions were reclassified as deductible expenses.
• Irrevocable elections: We guided them on making the correct first-year elections under the Corporate Tax Law, which many businesses rush through without understanding the long-term implications .

“The first-year elections are irreversible. Getting them wrong can cost a business hundreds of thousands over the lifetime of the company,” explains Ghalib Kazmi. “We treated this client’s filings like we were planning our own money.”

The Result: 15% Saved and a Stronger Business

When the final corporate tax return was filed through the FTA’s EmaraTax portal, the numbers told a powerful story.

That’s a reduction of approximately AED 160,000—or 15% in tax costs relative to their original profit projections.

But the savings weren’t just financial. The client gained:

• Peace of mind knowing they were fully compliant with FTA requirements.
• A documented framework for ongoing tax management.
• Strategic insight into how their business structure impacts profitability.

Why Most Dubai Businesses Leave Money on the Table

Our experience with Gulf Trading Solutions isn’t unique. Across Dubai’s free zones and mainland, businesses are navigating the post-June 2023 tax era with incomplete information .

Common Mistakes We See:

1. Assuming Free Zone Status Guarantees 0% Tax
   This is the biggest myth. Free zone companies must actively maintain QFZP status through compliance with substance requirements and revenue thresholds .
2. Neglecting Transfer Pricing
   Even small related-party transactions require documentation. The FTA has signaled this as a priority audit area .
3. DIY Tax Filing
   The EmaraTax portal is user-friendly, but tax strategy isn’t data entry. Without expert guidance, businesses miss elections, deductions, and restructuring opportunities.
4. Poor Recordkeeping
   Incomplete reconciliations and delayed audits were the top hurdles in the first filing cycle . Businesses without robust accounting systems are sitting ducks for penalties.

The Penalty Trap

It’s worth noting that non-compliance isn’t just about paying more tax—it’s about paying penalties. Under Cabinet Decision No. (75) of 2023, fines can include:

• AED 500 per month for late filing
• 14% annual penalty for non-payment
• Up to AED 20,000 for refusing to cooperate with tax audits 

Our client avoided all of these through proactive compliance.

Lessons for Every Dubai Business Owner

If you’re running a business in the UAE—whether in a free zone or on the mainland—here are actionable takeaways from this case study:

1. Know Your QFZP Status Inside Out

If you’re in a free zone, don’t assume you’re automatically at 0%. Monitor your revenue sources constantly. The 5% non-qualifying revenue threshold is a hard ceiling .

2. Invest in Clean Accounting

The businesses that sailed through the first tax filing cycle were those with integrated accounting systems and timely audits. Manual reconciliations lead to errors .

3. Treat Tax as a Strategy, Not a Compliance Burden

The Dubai Firm 15% in Tax Costs savings achieved in this case study didn’t come from aggressive avoidance—they came from strategic alignment with the law. Tax planning should be a year-round activity, not a once-a-year scramble.

4. Leverage UAE’s Tax Treaty Network

Dubai’s extensive network of Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAAs) can further optimize cross-border tax positions . This was a key component of our client’s long-term strategy.

5. Seek Expertise Early

Ghalib Consulting was brought in before the tax return was filed. The earlier you engage expert advisors, the more levers we have to pull.

The Human Element: Beyond the Numbers

What made this case particularly rewarding wasn’t just the spreadsheet victory. It was watching a management team move from anxiety to confidence.

When we first met them, they were genuinely worried. Rumors were circulating in their industry about businesses receiving FTA queries, about penalties that could wipe out months of profit. They saw tax as a threat.

By the time we finished, they understood their business better. They knew exactly which activities generated qualifying income. They had clean books. They had a relationship with an advisor who spoke their language—both linguistically and professionally.

At Ghalib Consulting, that’s the outcome we value most. Yes, saving a Dubai Firm 15% in Tax Costs is a great statistic. But empowering a business to grow with confidence? That’s the mission.

Your Business Could Be Next

The UAE’s tax landscape will continue to evolve. The first filing cycle is complete, but the second year brings new challenges: more sophisticated FTA audits, updated guidance, and the need for continuous improvement in compliance frameworks .

Is your business truly optimized for the new tax era?

At Ghalib Consulting, we combine the rigor of a Big Four alumnus (our founder trained at PwC) with the personalized attention of a boutique advisory firm. We serve clients across the UAE and KSA, offering:

• Corporate Tax Planning & Compliance
• Free Zone QFZP Optimization
• Transfer Pricing Documentation
• Financial Feasibility & Modeling
• Accounting Firm Services

We don’t just file returns—we build strategies.

Conclusion: Compliance is the New Competitive Advantage

The story of Gulf Trading Solutions proves that in Dubai’s maturing economy, tax compliance isn’t a burden—it’s an opportunity. The businesses that treat tax as a strategic function will outperform those that view it as an administrative chore.

A saving of 15% in tax costs doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when experienced advisors dig into the details, challenge assumptions, and align business operations with regulatory reality.

If you’re ready to see what’s possible for your business, we’re ready to help.

Let’s Connect

📞 Call us: +966-50-7024644
📧 Email: ghalib@ghalibconsulting.com
📍 Visit: Office 304, Baghlaf Trade Center, Al Khobar, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia (Serving clients across UAE & KSA)

Ready to reduce your tax costs? Book a free initial consultation today. Let’s review your numbers and identify opportunities—no obligation, just clarity.

👉 Contact Ghalib Consulting Now