Annual audit
Statutory audit for AFZ renewal, banks and corporate tax.
Ajman Free Zone Audit Services: Audit, Accounting and Tax for AFZ Companies
Ajman Free Zone (AFZ) companies must keep books of account and prepare annual financial statements, and are generally expected to provide audited accounts from an auditor the Ajman Free Zone Authority accepts at licence renewal. AFZ is a VAT designated zone, and every company registers for UAE corporate tax. SGA World provides audit, accounting, VAT and tax for Ajman Free Zone companies.
- Ministry of Economy and Tourism approved auditor
- 500+ clients
- Dubai & Abu Dhabi
Ajman Free Zone at a glance
- Authority
- Ajman Free Zone Authority (AFZA)
- Location
- Next to Ajman Port
- Annual audit
- Generally expected at renewal
- VAT
- Designated zone for goods
- Corporate tax
- 0% QFZP / 9% standard
Ajman Free Zone (AFZ) is one of the UAE's longest-established free zones, next to Ajman Port and a short drive from Sharjah and Dubai. Its low costs make it popular with trading, light manufacturing, e-commerce and service businesses. AFZ companies must keep proper accounts and prepare annual financial statements, and every company deals with UAE corporate tax and VAT.
SGA World provides audit, accounting, bookkeeping, VAT and corporate tax services for Ajman Free Zone companies, from our office in Business Bay, Dubai.
Working across several zones? See our overview of all UAE free zones.
- Next to Ajman Port
- Port-side
- Financial statements every year
- Annual
- VAT designated zone for goods
- Designated
- Corporate tax for QFZPs and others
- 0% / 9%
At a glance
Ajman Free Zone Companies: Key Facts
- Authority: the Ajman Free Zone Authority (AFZA), under the Government of Ajman.
- Accounts: every company keeps books of account and prepares annual financial statements.
- Audit: audited accounts are generally expected at licence renewal; confirm the current rule for your licence with AFZA.
- VAT: Ajman Free Zone is a designated zone, so some goods movements can be outside the scope of VAT.
- Corporate tax: every company registers; 0% only for a Qualifying Free Zone Person on qualifying income.
- Records: keep accounting records for 7 years for corporate tax.
Our services
Which Services Do We Provide for Ajman Free Zone Companies?
Bookkeeping and accounting
Monthly books, inventory, reconciliations and year-end statements.
Corporate tax and QFZP
QFZP or small business relief review and the annual return.
VAT
Designated zone treatment, registration and returns.
Transfer pricing
Group supplies, services and loans at arm's length.
Payroll
Monthly payroll, gratuity and leave.
About the zone
What Is Ajman Free Zone?
Ajman Free Zone was set up by the Government of Ajman in 1988 and is run by the Ajman Free Zone Authority (AFZA). Its position beside Ajman Port suits businesses that import, store and re-export goods, while its business centre offers low-cost office licences.
AFZ is home to:
- general trading and re-export;
- light manufacturing and assembly;
- e-commerce and online sellers;
- consultancy and professional services;
- logistics and warehousing.
Companies set up as a Free Zone Establishment (FZE), a Free Zone Company (FZC) or a branch. Whatever the licence, the company must keep proper accounts and meet its tax obligations.
Compliance
What Must Ajman Free Zone Companies Do Every Year?
- Financial statements
- Books of account and annual financial statements under IFRS.
- Audit
- Audited accounts, generally expected at licence renewal, from an auditor AFZA accepts.
- Corporate tax return
- Filed on EmaraTax within 9 months of the year end.
- QFZP review
- If relying on 0%, check qualifying income, the de minimis limit and substance.
- VAT returns
- Correct treatment of designated zone goods movements.
- UBO records
- Keep the beneficial ownership register up to date with AFZA.
Choosing an auditor
What Should an Ajman Free Zone Company Look For in an Auditor?
Check that the audit firm is accepted by AFZA, that the audit partner is a registered auditor with the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism, and that the team understands inventory, customs and designated zone issues for traders and manufacturers. The same audited accounts should support your corporate tax return and any QFZP claim.
SGA World audits Ajman Free Zone companies and plans the work around your renewal date and the corporate tax deadline.
Tax
How Do Corporate Tax and VAT Apply in Ajman Free Zone?
Corporate tax. Every Ajman Free Zone company must register for corporate tax and file a return within 9 months of the year end. A Qualifying Free Zone Person pays 0% on qualifying income and 9% on other taxable income; qualifying activities include manufacturing and processing of goods, logistics services and the distribution of goods in or from a designated zone to customers who resell or process them. Non-qualifying revenue must stay within the lower of 5% of revenue or AED 5 million, and audited accounts are a condition of QFZP status. Small service companies with revenue up to AED 3 million may find small business relief simpler, but a QFZP cannot use it.
VAT. Ajman Free Zone is listed as a designated zone in Cabinet Decision No. 59 of 2017. Some supplies of goods within or between designated zones can be outside the scope of VAT if the conditions are met, while services are taxed normally, and goods released into the mainland are subject to VAT.
See our QFZP guide and VAT services.
Worked example
Example: An Ajman Free Zone Trader With Mainland Sales
An Ajman Free Zone company imports household goods through Ajman Port and sells to retailers across the UAE and to buyers in Oman.
- Audit: audited accounts are prepared for renewal and the bank.
- QFZP: sales to retailers who resell from the designated zone, and exports, can be qualifying; direct sales to consumers are not.
- VAT: goods released to the mainland bear import VAT; exports are outside UAE VAT.
- Stock: a year-end count and landed cost review support the inventory figure.
What to prepare
What Documents Do We Need for a Ajman Free Zone Audit?
Company documents
Ajman Free Zone licence, memorandum and articles, and share register.
Accounts
Trial balance, ledgers, bank statements and confirmations.
Inventory
Stock count records, stock ledger, landed costs and goods in transit.
Customs
Import, re-export and release-to-mainland declarations.
Related parties
Intercompany agreements, balances and transfer pricing support.
Tax
Corporate tax registration, VAT returns and the chosen tax route.
Fees and timing
How Long Does a Ajman Free Zone Audit Take and What Affects the Fee?
Fieldwork usually takes one to three weeks once the books are closed. Plan it at least two months before any licence renewal or bank deadline, and well inside the corporate tax filing date.
The fee depends on inventory, customs volume, related parties, the condition of the books and whether corporate tax work is included. We confirm a fixed fee after reviewing your trial balance.
Industries
Which Ajman Free Zone Industries Do We Support?
General trading and re-export
- Landed cost and margins
- Customs records and re-exports
- Resellers versus end users for QFZP
Light manufacturing and assembly
- Production costing
- Stock counts
- Qualifying manufacturing income
E-commerce and online sellers
- Marketplace reconciliations
- VAT on sales to UAE consumers
- Small business relief
Consultancy and services
- Time-based billing
- VAT on cross-border services
- Owner pay rules
Avoid problems
Common Mistakes Ajman Free Zone Companies Make
Leaving the audit until renewal week
Licence renewal is delayed
Charging VAT on all goods movements
Designated zone rules may apply
Selling to mainland end users without tracking it
Can breach the QFZP de minimis limit
No year-end stock count
Qualified audit opinion on inventory
Not registering for corporate tax
AED 10,000 late registration penalty
Electing small business relief as a QFZP
A QFZP cannot use small business relief
Why SGA World
Why Choose SGA World for Ajman Free Zone Audit Services?
We check the Ajman Free Zone rules first
We confirm the current Ajman Free Zone requirements for your licence before planning the audit and tax filings.
Ministry-approved audit firm
SGA World is a Ministry of Economy and Tourism approved audit firm, so our reports are accepted where it matters.
Audit and tax in one team
Auditors, VAT, corporate tax and transfer pricing specialists work together, so nothing falls between advisers.
Qualified chartered accountants
A team of chartered accountants qualified in India and the UK, focused on UAE rules.
500+ clients
Mainland and free zone companies, from start-ups and SMEs to regional groups.
Listed with major UAE banks
Our audit work is recognised by major UAE banks for facilities and account reviews.
AFZ desk
Get Your Ajman Free Zone Audit and Tax Done on Time
Tell us your licence renewal date and financial year end. We will plan the audit and tax filings around them.
We handle
- Audit for renewal and QFZP
- Bookkeeping and inventory
- Corporate tax returns
- Designated zone VAT
- Payroll
Location: Dubai
Dubai Office
Our Dubai office in The Exchange Tower, Business Bay serves Ajman Free Zone companies and free zone companies across the northern emirates.
Dubai
Office 1923, The Exchange Tower, Business Bay, Dubai
Abu Dhabi
Khalidiya Towers M-B6, W10, Al Bateen, Al Khalidiyah, Abu Dhabi
Talk to an auditor
Tell us your company type, jurisdiction and deadline. We will confirm the scope, timeline and fee.
- WhatsApp us+971 50 627 3556
- Call us+971 4 570 1795
- Email us[email protected]
- Book an appointmentChoose a time that suits you
Prefer a form? Send us a detailed enquiry.
Who prepared this page
Written and reviewed by SGA World's audit and tax team
This guide is prepared by chartered accountants at SGA World Auditing Accounting L.L.C S.P.C in Business Bay, Dubai, a Ministry of Economy and Tourism approved audit firm, and checked against Federal Tax Authority legislation and guidance. It is reviewed whenever the rules change.
- Last reviewed 12 October 2026
- Chartered accountants from India and the UK
- FTA representation through Saif Chartered Accountants
Have a question about your company?
Tell us your activity, jurisdiction and deadline. A chartered accountant will reply.
Ask an expertFrequently asked questions
Ajman Free Zone Audit and Accounting – FAQs
Short answers to the questions UAE businesses ask us most. Still unsure?
Talk to our team01.Do Ajman Free Zone companies need an audit?
AFZ companies must prepare annual financial statements, and audited accounts are generally expected at licence renewal. An audit is also required to claim Qualifying Free Zone Person status. Confirm the current renewal rule for your licence with AFZA.
02.Is Ajman Free Zone a designated zone for VAT?
Yes. Ajman Free Zone is listed as a designated zone in Cabinet Decision No. 59 of 2017, so some supplies of goods can be outside the scope of VAT. Services are taxed normally.
03.Do Ajman Free Zone companies pay corporate tax?
Every AFZ company must register for corporate tax. A Qualifying Free Zone Person pays 0% on qualifying income and 9% on other taxable income; other companies pay 0% up to AED 375,000 and 9% above.
04.Which services does SGA World provide for Ajman Free Zone companies?
Audit, bookkeeping and accounting, corporate tax and QFZP reviews, VAT, transfer pricing and payroll.
05.How long does an Ajman Free Zone audit take?
Usually one to three weeks of fieldwork, plus a stock count where needed.
06.Can an Ajman Free Zone company sell online to UAE consumers?
Yes, but sales to consumers are generally non-qualifying income for QFZP purposes and are subject to VAT.
07.Which company types are available in Ajman Free Zone?
Free Zone Establishments (FZE), Free Zone Companies (FZC) and branches.
08.Do you visit Ajman for stock counts?
Yes. We serve Ajman clients from our Dubai office and attend stock counts on site.
References:Ajman Free Zone · Federal Tax Authority · UAE Ministry of Finance — reviewed 14 October 2026
