Phase 1 · now in effect

R&D tax relief for UAE innovators

If you invest in qualifying R&D, the UAE's Phase 1 incentive can support you through a structured tax credit from tax periods starting 1 January 2026. We help you prepare clear records, navigate corporate tax filings with the Federal Tax Authority, and stay aligned as guidance evolves. For rates and caps, always rely on the official Ministry of Finance texts and advice for your situation.

Explore how R&D tax credits work, our R&D tax services, or contact us.

Phase 1
From Jan 2026 tax periods
50%
Tiered credit (see official rules)
Ready
Records that support your claim

UAE R&D tax relief

We help businesses make sense of the Phase 1 R&D tax credit alongside everyday corporate tax work, including where UAE Federal Tax Authority processes apply.

How we help

From first conversation to filing support, we focus on what auditors and authorities actually look for: clear project stories, costs tied to evidence, and a calm path through UAE Federal Tax Authority requirements.

Practical support for the current Phase 1 credit design (non-refundable, tiered; details in published MoF rules)
Help interpreting bands and caps so you do not over-claim or leave value on the table
Documentation and governance that fit how innovative teams really work

Industries That Will Benefit

Technology
Manufacturing
Healthcare
Engineering
Financial Services
Energy

Meet Our Founder

Hayder Hafid

ACA, Chartered Accountant

Ex-Deloitte Director

Hayder Hafid, ACA, brings international R&D tax expertise to UAE businesses, helping teams translate innovation into well-supported claims and a confident relationship with UAE Federal Tax Authority where it matters.

ACA Chartered Accountant qualification
Former Deloitte senior professional
International R&D tax incentive specialist
R&D tax program expert
info@randd.ae

R&D Tax Incentive Timeline

The incentive is now part of everyday tax life for many UAE companies. Think of it in three gentle steps: get organised, file with confidence, then refine each year as your R&D grows.

Now

Get organised

Most teams already do the hard technical work. Our job is to help you capture it cleanly: projects, people, costs, and decisions, in language that matches what authorities expect.

Activity documentation
System setup

From 1 Jan 2026

Claims in flow

From tax periods starting January 2026, the published Phase 1 framework is what matters on paper, so the conversation shifts from "what might happen" to "how we evidence what you already do".

Work through your corporate tax return with care
Understand how the credit sits in your tax picture

2026 & Beyond

Ongoing Benefits

Continuous optimization of R&D claims, regular compliance reviews, and maximization of available tax benefits.

Annual claim optimization
Compliance monitoring

How we can help

Whether you are just exploring R&D relief or already filing, we meet you where you are: practical workshops, documentation that fits your teams, and senior review before anything goes to the authorities.

R&D Readiness Assessment

A structured look at what you build and spend, translated into the language of Phase 1, so you know what is worth pursuing before you invest heavily in a claim.

Activity qualification review
Future benefit estimation

R&D Documentation Systems

Lightweight processes that engineers will actually use, so evidence is there when you need it, not assembled in a panic at year-end.

System implementation
Process optimization

R&D Strategic Planning

Connect your roadmap and budgets to how relief actually works, so tax insight informs decisions instead of chasing them afterwards.

Strategic roadmap
Benefit optimization

R&D Compliance Training

Short, focused sessions so finance and R&D speak the same language, with fewer surprises at filing time.

Staff training programs
Ongoing support

Claim readiness & review

Quality reviews and checklists before corporate tax filing, aligned with the published Phase 1 procedures.

Filing readiness
Fast-track processing

Ongoing Advisory

Continuous advisory services to keep you updated on program developments, regulatory changes, and optimization opportunities.

Regular updates
Strategic guidance

Why calm preparation pays off

The rules are now detailed enough to plan against, but still young enough that habits matter. Teams that document as they go tend to sleep better at filing time.

Stay ahead of the curve

Early, light-touch reviews help you spot qualifying work before budgets are closed and narratives go stale.

Compliance Ready

Clear files and approvals mean fewer fire drills if an authority asks a reasonable question.

Maximum Benefits

Proper preparation ensures that all qualifying activities are identified and captured, maximizing your potential tax savings.

Expert Guidance

Senior people who have seen R&D claims in multiple countries, and now bring that judgment to the UAE's new chapter.

Curious what this could mean for you?

Tell us a little about your R&D. We will suggest a sensible next step, whether that is a short call, a readiness review, or simply pointing you to the right official reading.

Get in Touch