The UAE Ministry of Finance has officially opened the reporting window for CY2025. Here’s everything you need to know to stay compliant.
The UAE Ministry of Finance (MoF) has announced the opening of the annual reporting period for the submission of:
- Annual Return or Nil Return
- Risk Assessment Questionnaire (RAQ)
…for Calendar Year 2025 (CY2025), through the Common Reporting Standard (CRS) and Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) System.
Submission deadline: 30 June 2026.
What Is CRS/FATCA and Why Does It Matter?
The Common Reporting Standard (CRS) is an OECD-led global framework for the automatic exchange of financial account information between countries to combat tax evasion.
FATCA, on the other hand, is a U.S. federal law requiring foreign financial institutions to report information about financial accounts held by U.S. taxpayers or by foreign entities in which U.S. taxpayers hold a substantial ownership interest.
For financial institutions, investment funds, insurance companies, and other Reporting Financial Institutions (RFIs) operating in the UAE, compliance with both frameworks is mandatory under UAE law.
Who Needs to File?
If you are a UAE-based Reporting Financial Institution (RFI), you are required to submit either:
- An Annual Return if you hold reportable accounts for foreign tax residents or U.S. persons, OR
- A Nil Return if you have no reportable accounts for the year
Additionally, completing the Risk Assessment Questionnaire (RAQ) is a compliance requirement that helps the MoF assess the robustness of your AML/CRS/FATCA governance framework.
Entities that typically need to comply include:
- Banks and financial institutions
- Investment funds and fund managers
- Insurance companies with investment products
- Custodial institutions
- Certain holding and treasury companies
Key Dates to Remember
| Milestone | Date |
| Reporting Period Opens | June 2026 |
| Submission Deadline | 30 June 2026 |
| Reporting Year | Calendar Year 2025 (CY2025) |
Missing this deadline can result in penalties under UAE tax regulations. Do not wait until the last week.
How to Submit
The MoF has made the process digital and centralized. Submissions are made through the CRS/FATCA online portal.
Submit here: https://lnkd.in/dnGKEdQE
Make sure your institution’s Compliance Officer or Responsible Officer has access to the portal ahead of time.
Practical Steps to Get Ready Now
1. Review your account holder data: Identify all account holders and controlling persons who are tax residents in CRS-participating jurisdictions or are U.S. persons under FATCA.
2. Validate your self-certification forms: Ensure W-8, W-9, and CRS Self-Certification forms are up to date and properly documented for all relevant accounts.
3. Prepare your reportable data file: Structure your data in the required XML schema format (OECD CRS XML Schema v2.0 / FATCA IDES format).
4. Complete the Risk Assessment Questionnaire: Review your institution’s CRS/FATCA policies, procedures, and governance frameworks before answering.
5. Submit before June 30, not on June 30: System congestion near deadlines is real. Build in a buffer of at least 5–7 business days.
A Note for Compliance & Finance Professionals
This announcement is a timely reminder that tax transparency is no longer optional, it is the global standard. The UAE has been a committed participant in the OECD’s global tax transparency agenda, and regulators are increasingly scrutinizing the quality, not just the submission of CRS/FATCA filings.
If your institution is still treating CRS/FATCA as a checkbox exercise, 2025 is the year to level up your compliance program.
Are you prepared for the June 30 deadline? Drop a comment below or reach out if you have questions about CRS/FATCA compliance in the UAE.
