FTA Code of Ethics
Corvat Tax & Accounting Services Dubai — Effective: January 2025
As a UAE Federal Tax Authority (FTA) Qualified Tax Agent, YOUSAF ALI and Corvat Tax & Accounting Services Dubai are bound by the FTA's professional Code of Ethics. This page sets out our firm's commitment to the five core ethical principles governing UAE tax advisory practice.
FTA Qualified Tax Agent Registration
Our firm operates under FTA Qualified Tax Agent authorisation, granted under Cabinet Decision No. 74 of 2023 on the Executive Regulation of Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 on the Taxation of Corporations and Businesses. All tax advisory, representation, and filing services are conducted under this authorisation.
1. Integrity & Honesty
Commitment to Truthfulness
Corvat Tax & Accounting Services Dubai is committed to providing honest, accurate, and complete information to the UAE Federal Tax Authority (FTA) at all times. Our qualified tax agents do not make false or misleading representations in any tax filing, VAT return, Corporate Tax computation, or FTA correspondence.
No Facilitation of Tax Evasion
We strictly refuse to facilitate, advise on, or participate in any arrangement that constitutes tax evasion, artificial tax avoidance, or non-compliance with UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 and Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017 (VAT). Any client request that conflicts with UAE tax law will result in immediate withdrawal from the engagement.
Accurate Record-Keeping
We maintain accurate, complete, and retrievable records of all tax filings, audit reports, VAT returns, and client correspondence in compliance with FTA record retention requirements (minimum 5 years).
2. Objectivity & Independence
Conflict of Interest Policy
Our qualified tax agents and audit partners are required to identify and disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest before accepting an engagement. Where a conflict cannot be adequately managed, the engagement will be declined.
Audit Independence
For statutory audit engagements, we strictly maintain independence as required by International Standards on Auditing (ISA) and UAE Ministry of Economy licensing conditions. We do not provide statutory audit and bookkeeping services simultaneously for the same entity, in compliance with independence requirements.
Impartiality
Our tax advisory opinions are based solely on applicable UAE law, FTA public clarifications, and professional judgment — not on client pressure, commercial incentives, or desired outcomes.
3. Professional Competence & Due Care
Qualifications
All client engagements are supervised by YOUSAF ALI — FTA Qualified Tax Agent, CA Pakistan, and CA Finalist (ICAP) — with over 10 years of UAE tax, audit, and advisory experience. We do not accept engagements beyond our professional competence.
Continuing Professional Development
Our team maintains current knowledge of UAE Corporate Tax law, FTA public clarifications, VAT regulations, and IFRS updates through ongoing professional development, FTA workshops, and regulatory bulletins.
Quality Control
Every tax return, audit report, and advisory deliverable is subject to internal quality review by a senior qualified professional before submission to the FTA or delivery to the Client.
4. Confidentiality
Client Data Protection
All client tax, financial, and business information obtained during the course of our engagements is treated as strictly confidential. We do not disclose client information to any third party without prior written consent from the Client, except where required by UAE law or the FTA.
FTA Disclosure Requirements
Where the UAE Federal Tax Authority or another competent authority lawfully requires disclosure of client information, we will comply with such requirements and, where legally permissible, promptly notify the Client.
Post-Engagement Confidentiality
Confidentiality obligations continue to apply after the termination of any client engagement, with no time limitation on professionally sensitive information.
5. Professional Behaviour & FTA Compliance
Compliance with FTA Regulations
We conduct all engagements in full compliance with FTA guidelines, Cabinet Decisions, Ministerial Decisions, and public clarifications issued under UAE Corporate Tax Law and VAT Law. We promptly update our practices in response to new FTA guidance.
Voluntary Disclosure Obligations
Where we identify errors or omissions in previously filed tax returns, we advise clients to submit Voluntary Disclosures (Form 211) to the FTA promptly, in compliance with Article 10 of Federal Decree-Law No. 28 of 2022 on Tax Procedures.
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Compliance
We comply fully with UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2018 on Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism. We conduct KYC (Know Your Customer) verification for all new clients and report suspicious transactions to the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) as required by law.
No Facilitation of Prohibited Arrangements
We will not structure, advise on, or implement any arrangement that the FTA has designated as an Impermissible Tax Avoidance Arrangement under Article 50 of Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022.
Our Ethical Commitments at a Glance
Applicable UAE Regulatory Framework
- Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 — Taxation of Corporations and Businesses
- Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017 — Value Added Tax
- Federal Decree-Law No. 28 of 2022 — Tax Procedures
- Cabinet Decision No. 74 of 2023 — Executive Regulation on Corporate Tax
- Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2018 — Anti-Money Laundering (AML)
- Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 — Personal Data Protection (PDPL)
- UAE Commercial Companies Law No. 32 of 2021
- Cabinet Resolution No. 57 of 2020 — Economic Substance Regulations (ESR)
Ethics Enquiries & Complaints
If you have concerns regarding our ethical conduct or compliance with FTA standards, please contact us directly. All complaints are reviewed by YOUSAF ALI and responded to within 3 UAE working days.
Complaints may also be submitted directly to the UAE Federal Tax Authority at www.tax.gov.ae.