Bookkeeping
Simple monthly bookkeeping and bank reconciliations for small businesses.
Sharjah Media City (SHAMS) Audit Services: Accounting, Audit and Tax for SHAMS Companies
Sharjah Media City (SHAMS) is a popular, low-cost free zone for media, creative, e-commerce and consultancy businesses. Every SHAMS company must keep proper accounts and register for UAE corporate tax. An audit is required to claim Qualifying Free Zone Person status or for revenue above AED 50 million, and SHAMS, banks or investors may also ask for one. SGA World provides SHAMS accounting, audits, VAT and tax.
- Ministry of Economy and Tourism approved auditor
- 500+ clients
- Dubai & Abu Dhabi
SHAMS at a glance
- Location
- Sharjah
- Focus
- Media, creators, e-commerce, consulting
- Audit for QFZP
- Required
- VAT
- 5% standard rules apply
- Corporate tax
- Registration required for every company
Sharjah Media City (SHAMS) is one of the UAE's most popular free zones for freelancers, content creators, media, e-commerce and consultancy businesses, thanks to low-cost licences and a quick online set-up. Many SHAMS owners run small, fast-growing businesses and assume a free zone licence means no accounting or tax duties. In fact, every SHAMS company must keep proper accounts, register for corporate tax and file a return, and some also need an audit.
SGA World provides bookkeeping, accounting, audit, VAT and corporate tax services for SHAMS companies, sized for small businesses, from our office in Business Bay, Dubai.
Working across several zones? See our overview of all UAE free zones.
- Popular licences for small and creative businesses
- Low-cost
- Must register and file a corporate tax return
- Every company
- Audited accounts required to claim 0%
- QFZP
- VAT registration threshold
- AED 375k
At a glance
SHAMS Companies: Key Facts
- Corporate tax: every SHAMS company registers and files a return within 9 months of the year end, even with no profit.
- Audit for tax: required if the company claims QFZP status or revenue exceeds AED 50 million.
- Other audits: SHAMS, banks or investors may ask for audited accounts; confirm what applies to your licence.
- Small businesses: revenue up to AED 3 million can usually use small business relief, but not together with QFZP.
- Media income: most media, content and agency services are not qualifying activities for the 0% rate.
- VAT: SHAMS is not a designated zone; register once taxable supplies pass AED 375,000.
Our services
Which Services Do We Provide for SHAMS Companies?
Corporate tax
Registration, small business relief or QFZP, and the annual return.
VAT
Registration, returns and VAT on services to UAE and overseas clients.
Audit
Audits for QFZP status, banks, investors and licence requirements.
Virtual CFO
Cash flow and growth planning for scaling businesses.
Payroll
Payroll, gratuity and leave as you hire your first staff.
About the zone
What Is Sharjah Media City (SHAMS)?
Sharjah Media City, known as SHAMS, is a free zone set up by the Government of Sharjah for media and creative businesses, which now also licenses a wide range of e-commerce, trading, consultancy and technology activities.
SHAMS is popular with:
- freelancers and solo consultants;
- content creators, influencers and digital marketers;
- e-commerce and online sellers;
- publishing, film and media companies;
- start-ups testing a business at low cost.
Companies are usually set up as a free zone company with one or more shareholders. However small the business, it must keep proper records and meet its corporate tax and VAT obligations.
Do you need an audit?
Does a SHAMS Company Need an Audit?
| Your situation | Audit needed? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Claiming the 0% QFZP rate | Yes | Audited financial statements are a condition of QFZP status. |
| Revenue above AED 50 million | Yes | Required for corporate tax. |
| SHAMS licence or visa requirements | Check | Confirm with SHAMS what applies to your licence and visa quota. |
| Bank account, loan or investor | Often | Banks and investors frequently ask for audited accounts. |
| Small company using small business relief | Not for tax | No corporate tax audit requirement, but records must still be kept. |
Even without an audit, every SHAMS company must keep accounting records for 7 years and file its corporate tax return.
Small business tax
Should a SHAMS Company Choose QFZP or Small Business Relief?
Most SHAMS companies are small, and most earn income from media, content, marketing or consulting services, which are generally not qualifying activities for the 0% QFZP rate. For these businesses, small business relief is often the simpler and better route:
- Small business relief: a resident company with revenue up to AED 3 million can elect to be treated as having no taxable income, for tax periods ending on or before 31 December 2029. No audit is needed for tax, but the return must still be filed.
- QFZP: 0% on qualifying income only, with audited accounts, adequate substance and non-qualifying revenue within the lower of 5% of revenue or AED 5 million. A QFZP cannot elect small business relief.
- Standard rules: 0% on the first AED 375,000 of taxable income and 9% above.
We review your income each year and recommend the route that keeps your tax and compliance costs lowest.
VAT
When Does a SHAMS Company Need to Register for VAT?
SHAMS is not a designated zone, so normal UAE VAT rules apply. A SHAMS company must register for VAT once its taxable supplies over the last 12 months, or expected in the next 30 days, exceed AED 375,000. It can register voluntarily from AED 187,500.
- Services to UAE clients are taxed at 5%.
- Services to clients outside the UAE can be zero-rated when the conditions are met.
- Platform and brand-deal income for creators should be checked case by case, as the place of supply depends on who the client is and where they are based.
See our VAT registration guide and Small Business Relief guide.
Worked example
Example: A Content Creator With a SHAMS Company
A content creator runs a SHAMS company earning AED 650,000 from brand deals with UAE and foreign brands and platform payouts.
- Corporate tax: the company registers and, with revenue under AED 3 million, elects small business relief. No audit is needed for tax.
- VAT: revenue is above AED 375,000, so the company must register for VAT; UAE brand deals carry 5%, while some services to foreign brands can be zero-rated.
- Records: gifted products, platform statements and brand contracts are kept as evidence.
- Bank: a separate business bank account keeps company and personal spending apart.
What to prepare
What Do We Need to Keep a SHAMS Company Compliant?
Licence
SHAMS licence and company documents.
Income
Brand contracts, invoices and platform payout statements.
Expenses
Receipts and invoices for business costs.
Bank
Business bank and payment account statements.
Tax
Corporate tax registration and VAT returns.
Fees and timing
What Affects the Cost of Accounting for a SHAMS Company?
Most SHAMS companies need simple monthly bookkeeping, a corporate tax return and, above the threshold, VAT returns. Cost depends on the number of transactions, VAT registration, the state of the records and whether an audit is needed for QFZP, a bank or SHAMS. We offer fixed monthly fees for small businesses.
How we work
How Does Our SHAMS Accounting and Tax Process Work?
Step01
Assess
Check your income, whether you need an audit and which tax route suits you.
Step02
Books
Set up or tidy the books and reconcile bank and payment accounts.
Step03
Audit if needed
Audit the accounts where QFZP, a bank or SHAMS requires it.
Step04
File
File the corporate tax return, and VAT returns if registered.
Why SGA World
Why Choose SGA World for Sharjah Media City (SHAMS) Audit Services?
We check the Sharjah Media City (SHAMS) rules first
We confirm the current Sharjah Media City (SHAMS) 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.
Industries
Which SHAMS Businesses Do We Support?
Content creators and influencers
- Brand deals, platform payouts and gifts
- VAT place of supply for foreign brands
- Small business relief
Freelancers and consultants
- Simple invoicing and bookkeeping
- Owner pay and connected-person rules
- Corporate tax registration and returns
E-commerce and online sellers
- Marketplace and payment-gateway reconciliations
- Stock and fulfilment costs
- VAT on sales to UAE consumers
Publishing, film and media
- Project revenue and production costs
- Content rights
- Investor reporting
Digital and marketing agencies
- Retainers and media pass-through costs
- Principal or agent under IFRS 15
- VAT on cross-border services
Avoid problems
Common Mistakes SHAMS Companies Make
Not registering for corporate tax
AED 10,000 late registration penalty
Thinking no profit means no return
Every company must file
Running the business through a personal account
Weak records and disallowed expenses
Claiming 0% on media income without checking
Most media services are not qualifying
Missing the VAT threshold
Late registration penalties
Electing small business relief as a QFZP
A QFZP cannot use small business relief
SHAMS desk
Keep Your SHAMS Company Compliant Without the Stress
Tell us what your business does and roughly how much it earns. We will tell you exactly what you need to file, and handle it for you.
We handle
- Bookkeeping for small businesses
- Corporate tax registration and returns
- Small business relief or QFZP review
- VAT registration and returns
- Audits when required
Location: Dubai
Dubai Office
Our Dubai office in The Exchange Tower, Business Bay serves SHAMS 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
SHAMS Audit and Accounting – FAQs
Short answers to the questions UAE businesses ask us most. Still unsure?
Talk to our team01.Do SHAMS companies need an audit?
An audit is required for corporate tax if the company claims Qualifying Free Zone Person status or has revenue above AED 50 million. SHAMS, banks or investors may also ask for audited accounts, so confirm what applies to your licence.
02.Does a SHAMS freelancer or small company need to register for corporate tax?
Yes. Every SHAMS company must register for corporate tax and file a return within nine months of the year end, even if it has no profit or uses small business relief.
03.Can a SHAMS company use small business relief?
A resident company with revenue up to AED 3 million can elect small business relief for tax periods ending on or before 31 December 2029, but not if it is a Qualifying Free Zone Person.
04.Is SHAMS a designated zone for VAT?
No. Normal UAE VAT rules apply. Register once taxable supplies pass AED 375,000; voluntary registration is possible from AED 187,500.
05.Which services does SGA World provide for SHAMS companies?
Bookkeeping, corporate tax registration and returns, small business relief and QFZP reviews, VAT, audits, payroll and virtual CFO support.
06.Do content creators with a SHAMS company pay VAT?
If taxable supplies pass AED 375,000 over 12 months, the company must register for VAT and charge it on UAE supplies.
07.Are gifted products taxable income?
Products received in exchange for promotion can be a form of payment and may need to be recorded and considered for VAT and corporate tax.
08.Can SHAMS companies get a corporate bank account?
Yes, though banks will want to see the business activity, contracts and expected transactions.
09.How much does bookkeeping for a SHAMS company cost?
It depends on transaction volume and VAT status. We quote a fixed monthly fee after seeing your activity.
References:Sharjah Media City (SHAMS) · Federal Tax Authority · UAE Ministry of Finance — reviewed 14 October 2026
