Annual audit
Statutory audit of your financial statements for licence renewal, banks and corporate tax.
SAIF Zone Approved Auditors: Audit, Accounting and Tax for Sharjah Airport Free Zone Companies
Every company in Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone) must have its financial statements audited each year by a SAIF Zone approved auditor and submit them before the licence is renewed. SAIF Zone is a VAT designated zone, and every company registers for UAE corporate tax, where 0% applies only to a Qualifying Free Zone Person. SGA World provides SAIF Zone approved audits, accounting, VAT and tax.
- Ministry of Economy and Tourism approved auditor
- 500+ clients
- Dubai & Abu Dhabi
SAIF Zone at a glance
- Full name
- Sharjah Airport International Free Zone
- Company types
- FZE, FZCO, branch
- Annual audit
- All companies, before licence renewal
- VAT
- Designated zone for goods
- Corporate tax
- 0% QFZP / 9% standard
Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone) sits next to Sharjah International Airport, with easy access to Sharjah's seaports and to Dubai. It is a base for logistics, trading and light manufacturing companies. Every SAIF Zone company must have its accounts audited each year before its licence is renewed, and every company now deals with UAE corporate tax and VAT.
SGA World provides SAIF Zone approved audits, together with accounting, bookkeeping, VAT and corporate tax services for SAIF Zone companies, from FZEs and FZCOs to branches of foreign groups.
Working across several zones? See our overview of all UAE free zones.
- Companies need an annual audit, with no size exemption
- All
- Audit must be signed by a SAIF Zone approved auditor
- Approved
- VAT designated zone for goods
- Designated
- Corporate tax for QFZPs and others
- 0% / 9%
At a glance
SAIF Zone Companies: Key Facts
- Audit: every SAIF Zone company has its accounts audited each year, whatever its size.
- Approved auditor: the audit report must be signed by an auditor on the SAIF Zone approved list.
- Licence renewal: audited accounts are submitted through the SAIF Zone portal before renewal.
- VAT: SAIF 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 SAIF Zone Companies?
Bookkeeping and accounting
Monthly books, inventory accounting, reconciliations and year-end statements.
Corporate tax and QFZP
Registration, QFZP assessment, de minimis testing and the annual return.
VAT
Registration, returns and designated zone VAT treatment for goods.
Transfer pricing
Benchmarking and documentation for related-party transactions.
Payroll
Monthly payroll, gratuity and leave for your SAIF Zone team.
About the zone
What Is SAIF Zone?
SAIF Zone was set up in 1995 by the Government of Sharjah next to Sharjah International Airport. It is close to Port Khalid and Hamriyah Port and about half an hour from Dubai, which makes it popular for businesses that import, store, process and re-export goods.
Companies can set up as:
- a Free Zone Establishment (FZE), with a single shareholder;
- a Free Zone Company (FZCO), with two or more shareholders;
- a branch of a UAE or foreign company.
Licences cover trading, services and industrial activities, with offices, warehouses and land plots available. Whatever the licence, the company must keep proper accounts, have them audited and meet its tax obligations.
Compliance
What Must SAIF Zone Companies Do Every Year?
- Audited financial statements
- Accounts prepared under IFRS, audited by a SAIF Zone approved auditor and submitted before licence renewal.
- Corporate tax return
- Filed on EmaraTax within 9 months of the financial year end, whether or not tax is due.
- QFZP review
- If relying on the 0% rate, check qualifying income, the de minimis limit and substance each year.
- VAT returns
- Quarterly or monthly returns, with correct treatment of designated zone goods movements.
- Customs and inventory
- Records of imports, re-exports and stock that match the accounts.
- UBO records
- Keep the register of ultimate beneficial owners up to date with the authority.
Approved auditors
Why Does a SAIF Zone Company Need an Approved Auditor?
SAIF Zone accepts audited financial statements only from firms on its list of approved auditors. A report signed by a firm that is not on the list can be rejected at licence renewal, which means a second audit and a delayed licence.
When you appoint a SAIF Zone approved auditor, check that:
- the firm is on the current SAIF Zone approved list;
- the audit partner is a registered auditor with the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism;
- the firm understands inventory, customs and designated zone issues common in SAIF Zone;
- the same audited accounts can be used for your corporate tax return and any QFZP claim.
SGA World audits SAIF Zone companies and plans the work around the licence renewal date and the corporate tax deadline.
Tax
How Do Corporate Tax and VAT Apply in SAIF Zone?
Corporate tax. Every SAIF Zone company must register for corporate tax. A company that meets all the conditions to be a Qualifying Free Zone Person pays 0% on qualifying income, such as manufacturing, processing, trading of qualifying commodities, logistics and distribution of goods in or from a designated zone, and transactions with other free zone persons. Other taxable income is taxed at 9%. 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.
VAT. SAIF Zone is a designated zone under Cabinet Decision No. 59 of 2017. Some supplies of goods within or between designated zones can be outside the scope of VAT, while services are taxed normally. Goods released into the UAE mainland are subject to VAT.
See our QFZP guide and VAT services.
Worked example
Example: A SAIF Zone Logistics and Trading Company
A SAIF Zone company stores spare parts in a warehouse near Sharjah airport and sells them to workshops across the UAE and to buyers in East Africa.
- Audit: every SAIF Zone company is audited each year by a SAIF Zone approved auditor before renewal. With large stock, the auditor attends or reviews the year-end count.
- QFZP: export sales and distribution from a designated zone to workshops that resell the parts can be qualifying. Sales to mainland end users are not.
- VAT: SAIF Zone is a designated zone, so goods moved between designated zones can be outside the scope of VAT, while goods released to the mainland bear import VAT.
- Records: customs declarations, the stock ledger and the books are reconciled monthly.
Good stock and customs records keep the audit clean and the QFZP claim defensible.
What to prepare
What Documents Do We Need for a SAIF Zone Audit?
Company documents
SAIF Zone licence, memorandum and articles, and share register.
Accounts
Trial balance, ledgers, bank statements and confirmations.
Inventory
Stock count sheets, stock ledger and landed cost workings.
Customs
Import, re-export and release-to-mainland declarations.
VAT
VAT returns and designated zone movement records.
Tax
Corporate tax registration and revenue by customer type.
Fees and timing
How Long Does a SAIF Zone Audit Take and What Affects the Fee?
Typical fieldwork is one to three weeks, plus the stock count. Book the audit two months before renewal.
The fee depends on inventory size and locations, transaction volume, customs complexity, related parties, the condition of the books and whether corporate tax work is included.
How we work
How Does Our SAIF Zone Audit Process Work?
Step01
Plan
Agree scope, timetable and documents, working back from your licence renewal date.
Step02
Stock and fieldwork
Attend or review the stock count and test balances, sales and purchases.
Step03
Report
Agree adjustments and issue the audited financial statements.
Step04
Submit
Submit for licence renewal and use the same figures for your corporate tax return.
Why SGA World
Why Choose SGA World as Your SAIF Zone Approved Auditor?
Approved audits for SAIF Zone
Audit reports prepared to SAIF Zone requirements and planned around your licence renewal and corporate tax return.
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.
Industries
Which SAIF Zone Industries Do We Support?
Logistics and warehousing
- Freight and storage revenue
- Designated zone VAT on goods movements
- QFZP qualifying activity checks for logistics
General trading and re-export
- Inventory, landed costs and margins
- Customs records and re-exports
- Mainland sales against the de minimis limit
Manufacturing and processing
- Production costing and work in progress
- Fixed assets and depreciation
- Qualifying manufacturing income for QFZP
Aviation services and spare parts
- High-value parts inventory
- Foreign currency transactions
- Related-party charges within groups
Oil and gas services
- Contract revenue and retentions
- Equipment and rental assets
- Transfer pricing for group services
Food and consumer goods
- Stock expiry and write-downs
- Distributor rebates and discounts
- VAT on supplies to mainland customers
Avoid problems
Common Mistakes SAIF Zone Companies Make
Using an auditor not on the SAIF Zone list
The report is rejected at renewal
Thinking small companies are exempt from audit
Every SAIF Zone company needs an audit
No year-end stock count
Audit qualifications on inventory
Charging VAT on all goods movements
Designated zone rules may apply
Selling to the mainland without tracking it
Can breach the QFZP de minimis limit
Customs records that do not match the books
Questions from auditors and authorities
SAIF Zone desk
Get Your SAIF Zone Audit and Tax Done on Time
Tell us your licence renewal date and financial year end. We will plan the audit, accounts and tax filings around them.
We handle
- Annual audit for licence renewal
- Bookkeeping and inventory accounts
- Corporate tax and QFZP review
- VAT and designated zone treatment
- Transfer pricing and payroll
Location: Dubai
Dubai Office
Our Dubai office in The Exchange Tower, Business Bay is a short drive from SAIF Zone and serves 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 9 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
SAIF Zone Audit and Accounting – FAQs
Short answers to the questions UAE businesses ask us most. Still unsure?
Talk to our team01.Do all SAIF Zone companies need an audit?
Yes. Every SAIF Zone company must have its financial statements audited each year, whatever its size, before the licence is renewed.
02.Do I need a SAIF Zone approved auditor?
Yes. SAIF Zone accepts audit reports only from firms on its approved auditor list. SGA World provides SAIF Zone approved audits.
03.Is SAIF Zone a designated zone for VAT?
Yes. Sharjah Airport International 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.
04.Do SAIF Zone companies pay corporate tax?
Every SAIF Zone 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.
05.What company types are available in SAIF Zone?
Free Zone Establishments (FZE) with one shareholder, Free Zone Companies (FZCO) with two or more shareholders, and branches of UAE or foreign companies.
06.Which services does SGA World provide for SAIF Zone companies?
Audit, bookkeeping and accounting, corporate tax and QFZP reviews, VAT, transfer pricing and payroll.
07.Is the SAIF Zone audit required for small companies too?
Yes. Every SAIF Zone company must have its accounts audited each year, whatever its size.
08.Does SAIF Zone accept any UAE auditor?
No. SAIF Zone accepts audit reports only from firms on its approved auditor list. SGA World provides SAIF Zone approved audits.
09.Does a SAIF Zone audit include a stock count?
Where inventory is material, the auditor attends or reviews the year-end stock count.
10.Can a SAIF Zone company sell to the mainland?
Yes, through customs release and the right permits or distributors. Mainland end-user sales are generally non-qualifying income for QFZP purposes.
11.How long does a SAIF Zone audit take?
Usually one to three weeks of fieldwork, plus the stock count where needed.
12.Is SAIF Zone the same as Saif Chartered Accountants?
No. SAIF Zone is the Sharjah Airport International Free Zone, a government free zone. It is not connected to any audit firm.
References:Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone) · Federal Tax Authority · UAE Ministry of Finance — reviewed 14 October 2026
