Essence Accounting & Tax Consultancy is a Dubai-based accounting and tax firm in Business Bay that helps US founders run compliant UAE companies — accounting, VAT, corporate tax, business setup and Golden Visa — with 500+ companies served. FTA-registered tax agency. Fully remote. English-speaking team.
Quick Answer: Essence handles UAE accounting, VAT and corporate tax for US-owned UAE companies and American founders with UAE free zone or mainland entities. We are FTA-registered, based in Business Bay, Dubai, and work fully remotely. We handle UAE compliance only — for US federal, state tax, FBAR or FATCA obligations, engage a qualified US CPA. Speak to our team →
The UAE business environment is genuinely attractive for American founders — no personal income tax, strong banking infrastructure, and free zones built for international business. But the compliance landscape is different from the US in ways that catch founders off guard. Here are the most common pain points we hear from US clients.
The UAE introduced a 9% corporate tax in June 2023. This is a UAE-level tax on taxable profits above AED 375,000. It is entirely separate from any US federal or state tax obligations you may have as a US person. Depending on your structure, both may apply. We handle the UAE side. For the US side, work with a US CPA.
US persons holding UAE bank accounts or owning UAE entities may have FBAR (FinCEN 114) and FATCA reporting obligations under US law. We do not advise on FBAR, FATCA or any US reporting obligations — Essence handles UAE compliance only. For these obligations, engage a qualified US CPA or international tax attorney.
Many US founders already have a Delaware or Wyoming LLC and are unsure whether to set up a separate UAE free zone company, use their existing US entity, or both. This structural question has significant UAE and US tax implications. We advise on UAE entity structures; for the cross-border structuring question, work with a US international tax attorney alongside our UAE team.
UAE corporate bank account applications require documentation that US-based founders often struggle to assemble — certified trade licence copies, shareholder documents, proof of business activity and sometimes an in-person visit depending on the bank. We guide clients through UAE banking documentation requirements as part of the setup process.
UAE FTA deadlines are set in Gulf Standard Time (UTC+4). An Eastern Time founder is 8–9 hours behind. Missing FTA deadlines for VAT returns or corporate tax filings carries real financial penalties. Essence manages every deadline — we file on time and notify you in advance. No alarm clocks set at midnight required.
There is no federal VAT in the United States. UAE VAT at 5% is a destination-based consumption tax filed with the FTA, entirely separate from US sales tax systems. If your UAE company's taxable turnover exceeds AED 375,000, mandatory UAE VAT registration applies. Essence handles end-to-end UAE VAT compliance including registration, quarterly return filing, and FTA correspondence.
US founder with a UAE company? Tell us about your entity — we'll confirm what UAE compliance you need.
We respond within one business day.
We cover every UAE compliance requirement for American business owners with UAE entities — remotely, in English, with no need to visit Dubai.
We maintain your UAE company's books to FTA standards — categorising transactions, reconciling bank statements and preparing financial statements. Reports delivered digitally in both USD and AED.
We register your UAE entity for corporate tax, prepare the annual CT return — including transfer pricing disclosures where required — and file via EmaraTax as your FTA-appointed tax agent. UAE only.
We handle UAE VAT registration and file quarterly VAT returns to the FTA via EmaraTax. Standard UAE VAT rate is 5% — entirely separate from any US tax system.
As an FTA-registered tax agency, we act as your authorised tax agent in the UAE. We handle all FTA queries, audit support and correspondence so you never have to deal with the FTA directly from the US.
Planning to establish a UAE entity or subsidiary? We handle free zone company formation, mainland setup and post-incorporation compliance — corporate tax registration, VAT registration, bookkeeping setup.
We manage UAE Tax Residency Certificate applications for companies seeking formal proof of UAE tax domicile. Note: the UAE has no comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States.
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The UAE and the US each have their own independent tax systems. Owning or operating a UAE company as a US person may trigger obligations under both systems. Essence covers the UAE side only.
Essence Accounting & Tax Consultancy handles UAE accounting, VAT and corporate tax only. We do not advise on US federal or state taxes, IRS filings, FBAR reporting (FinCEN 114), FATCA obligations, US foreign tax credit calculations, or any other US tax requirements. These are entirely separate from UAE tax obligations and are governed by US law.
For your US tax obligations arising from owning or running a UAE company — including but not limited to IRS filings, FBAR, FATCA, Subpart F income, GILTI and any state-level requirements — engage a qualified US CPA or international tax attorney.
This is not a limitation of our service — it is best practice. UAE tax and US tax are specialist disciplines. Clients who engage both a UAE-specialist firm (Essence) and a US-specialist CPA get the best outcome on both sides.
FTA-registered. Dubai-based. Remote-ready. Built to serve international business owners.
Our entire service is designed to work without you being in Dubai. American founders from New York to Los Angeles to Austin run their UAE companies through Essence without ever stepping on a plane for accounting purposes.
We communicate through the channels that work for you. For scheduled calls, we coordinate across timezones . Most queries are resolved same day via WhatsApp or email.
Financial statements and compliance reports are delivered in both USD and AED so your US CFO, investor or CPA can read them without conversion. All UAE statutory filings remain in AED as required by the FTA.
Engagement letters, power of attorney documents and approval forms are all handled electronically. You never need to courier physical documents to Dubai.
You can run your UAE company fully remotely through Essence. We handle all FTA interactions, EmaraTax filings, and compliance deadlines on your behalf. Some free zone incorporations may require an in-person visit to the free zone authority — we advise in advance if this applies to your situation.
FTA-registered tax agency in Business Bay, Dubai. We handle UAE accounting, VAT and corporate tax for US-owned UAE companies — remotely, in English, on time.
Last updated: November 2026 | Essence Accounting & Tax Consultancy, Business Bay, Dubai
Verify our tax agency registration on the FTA’s official directory →
