Welcome to your corporate partners & associates in Dubai
- Call us: +971 55 441 1036
- Mail US : info@dawnconsultancy.com
- ADD US : dawn.consultancy
- Call us: +971 55 441 1036
- Mail US : info@dawnconsultancy.com
- ADD US : dawn.consultancy
JAFZA Approved Auditors and Liquidators
Dawn Consultancy, part of Aabi Chartered Accountants, has been an approved auditor for Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) companies since 2010 and is also a registered agent for JAFZA Offshore companies. We audit FZEs, FZCOs, branches and offshore companies across the trading, logistics, manufacturing and holding activities that Jebel Ali is known for, and act as liquidator when a JAFZA licence is closed.
JAFZA audit requirements
Every JAFZA FZE, FZCO and branch must submit audited financial statements to the Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority each year, prepared by a firm on JAFZA’s approved auditors list, as a condition of licence renewal. JAFZA Offshore companies are also required to keep accounting records and have them audited, with the audited accounts held by the registered agent and produced to the Registrar on request. Audits are conducted under International Standards on Auditing and financial statements prepared under IFRS.
For UAE Corporate Tax, JAFZA is a Qualifying Free Zone. A company seeking Qualifying Free Zone Person treatment (0% on qualifying income) must maintain audited financial statements regardless of revenue, and must monitor mainland-sourced income against the de minimis limit. Manufacturing, distribution to non-mainland customers and logistics services are typical qualifying activities; we assess your revenue mix as part of the audit.
Our JAFZA services
- Annual statutory audit and submission to JAFZA for licence renewal
- Audits of JAFZA Offshore companies as registered agent
- Inventory observation and cost audits for manufacturing and trading companies with warehouse stock
- Audits supporting Qualifying Free Zone Person status and Corporate Tax returns
- Customs and bonded-warehouse reconciliation support
- Bookkeeping, VAT and Corporate Tax return preparation
- Economic Substance and Ultimate Beneficial Owner filings
JAFZA company liquidation
- Shareholders’ resolution to liquidate and appoint Dawn Consultancy as liquidator
- Liquidation application to JAFZA and settlement of authority fees
- Publication of the liquidation notice and creditor notice period
- Visa cancellations and closure of the establishment card and immigration file
- Clearances from JAFZA, Dubai Customs (including bonded stock and customs guarantees), DEWA, telecoms and the landlord; hand-back of plots or warehouses
- Bank account closure and settlement of liabilities
- Final audit and liquidator’s report
- Licence cancellation and JAFZA deregistration letter
Customs clearance is the step most often delayed in Jebel Ali liquidations because of open import declarations or guarantees; we start it first. VAT and Corporate Tax deregistration with the Federal Tax Authority runs in parallel.
Documents required
- Trade licence, certificate of formation, memorandum and articles
- Bank statements, general ledger, trial balance and stock records
- Customs declarations and warehouse reports for the year
- Prior audited financial statements
- VAT and Corporate Tax registration certificates
- For liquidation: shareholders’ resolution, passport copies, employee and visa list, lease or plot agreement
Frequently asked questions
Does a JAFZA Offshore company need an audit?
Yes. Offshore companies must keep accounts and have them audited; the registered agent holds the audited accounts for the Registrar.
What is the JAFZA audit deadline?
Audited financial statements are due to JAFZA after the financial year end and before licence renewal; JAFZA sets the filing window, and late filing can delay renewal.
My JAFZA company sells to mainland UAE. Does that affect Corporate Tax?
Mainland-sourced income is generally not qualifying income. If it exceeds the de minimis limit, Qualifying Free Zone Person status is lost for the year. We test this during the audit.
How long does a JAFZA liquidation take?
Three to four months is typical, longer where customs guarantees or bonded stock must be cleared.
Other free zones we serve
Get a quotation
Email info@dawnconsultancy.com, call +971 55 441 1036, or request a call back.
Need a JAFZA approved auditor or liquidator?
Send your trial balance or trade licence for a fixed quotation.