📋 Complete Guide | Power of Attorney for Tax Matters — UAE
By the Private Notary Dubai Team — Licensed Notaries in Dubai | Last updated: June 2026
What Is a Power of Attorney for Tax Matters?
A power of attorney for tax matters — also referred to as a tax POA or power of attorney for accountant — is a legally binding notarised document through which a UAE business formally authorises another person or entity (the tax agent) to act on its behalf in all matters related to taxation.
Once signed and issued by a Private Notary, the document is immediately ready for use before the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) — no further attestation, government stamp, or additional processing is required.
The authority granted can be as broad or as specific as the business needs — covering everything from VAT filings and corporate tax returns to FTA correspondence and payment execution.
Why UAE Businesses Need a Tax POA
The UAE’s tax landscape has grown significantly in recent years. With VAT in place since 2018 and corporate tax introduced in 2023, businesses increasingly need professional tax representation — particularly in these situations:
🌍 Owners based abroad
Foreign investors and non-resident owners who cannot manage FTA matters from overseas
🏢 Corporate tax compliance
Companies delegating corporate tax filings to an external accountant or tax firm
📊 VAT management
Businesses appointing a tax agent to handle periodic VAT return submissions
⚖️ FTA audits & disputes
Authorising a representative to respond to FTA inquiries or handle tax assessments
Who Can Issue a Power of Attorney for Tax Matters?
The POA can be issued by either:
The company’s General Manager — authorised to act on behalf of the business entity in official matters.
The business owner — whether residing in the UAE or abroad. Non-resident owners can complete the process fully remotely via a notarised video call.
Who Can Be Appointed as Tax Attorney?
The appointed tax attorney (the person receiving the authority) can be:
- An individual — such as an accountant, financial consultant, or tax adviser — identified by their valid Emirates ID
- A firm or company — such as an accounting or tax consultancy — identified by their valid trade licence
There is no requirement for the appointed agent to hold a formal FTA tax agent registration. The POA itself is the legal instrument that grants authority.
Required Documents
Valid trade licence of the granting company — the business issuing the POA
Tax agent’s credentials — either their trade licence (if a firm) or valid Emirates ID (if an individual)
Emirates ID or passport of the company’s manager / owner — the person signing the POA on behalf of the business
POA Validity — Open-Ended or Fixed Term
The validity of a tax POA is entirely at the discretion of the granting party:
| Option | When to use it |
|---|---|
| Open-ended (no expiry) | Ongoing tax representation with no defined end date |
| Fixed term (e.g. 1 year, 2 years) | Project-based engagement or annual accounting arrangements |
How to Get Your Tax POA — Step by Step
Contact us — via WhatsApp with details of your business and the tax agent you wish to appoint
Send your documents — trade licence, tax agent credentials, and manager/owner ID
We draft the POA — tailored to your specific tax scope, with the correct legal wording for FTA use
Signing — at our office or via a notarised video call if the signatory is outside the UAE
POA ready — same day immediately valid before the FTA with no further attestation required
📋 Issue Your Tax POA — Ready the Same Day
UAE residents & non-residents · Remote or in-office · Immediately valid with the FTA
Send us your documents for a free initial review — no obligation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using a generic POA for tax purposes — a standard power of attorney may not contain the specific wording accepted by the FTA; the document needs to be drafted for tax use
- Expired trade licence — the company’s trade licence must be valid at the time of issuing the POA
- Unclear document copies — blurry or cropped IDs and licences are rejected
- No defined scope — a well-drafted tax POA should clearly specify what tax activities the agent is authorised to perform
- Assuming the agent needs FTA registration — FTA agent registration is not required; the notarised POA is the legal instrument
How Can Private Notary Dubai Help?
The Private Notary Dubai team drafts and notarises tax powers of attorney for UAE businesses on a daily basis — for resident and non-resident owners alike, ensuring the document is correctly worded for FTA use from day one.
- Reviewing your documents before starting to confirm completeness
- Drafting the POA with the correct legal scope for FTA tax matters
- Coordinating remote signing via notarised video call for non-resident owners
- Same-day issuance — the document is ready and valid the day you sign
Important Notes
- The information in this article is general and does not constitute legal or tax advice
- Requirements may vary depending on the specific business structure and the FTA’s current procedures
- The POA grants authority to act — tax liability remains with the business owner
- Always confirm the scope of authority with your appointed tax agent before issuing the POA
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a power of attorney for tax matters?
It is a notarised legal document through which a UAE business authorises an individual or firm to handle all tax-related activities before the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) on its behalf — including filings, payments, and correspondence.
Can a non-resident business owner issue a tax POA?
Yes. Non-resident owners can issue the POA fully remotely via a notarised video call — no travel to the UAE is required.
Does the tax agent need to be registered with the FTA?
No. FTA registration is not a requirement for the appointed agent. The notarised POA itself is the legal instrument that grants authority to act on the company’s behalf.
How long does it take to issue a tax POA?
The same day — once all documents are received and the signing is completed, the POA is ready and immediately valid.
Does the tax POA need additional attestation after issuance?
No. A POA issued by a Private Notary in Dubai is immediately valid before the FTA with no further government stamps or attestation required.
What is the validity period of a tax POA?
The validity is your choice — it can be left open-ended with no expiry date, or set to a fixed term such as one or two years depending on your arrangement with the tax agent.
Licensed notaries in Dubai specialising in commercial and corporate powers of attorney. We issue tax POAs for UAE businesses daily — for resident and non-resident owners — ensuring every document is correctly drafted for FTA use from the outset.
Final Word
A power of attorney for tax matters is one of the most practical corporate documents a UAE business can have — it enables seamless tax representation without requiring the owner or manager to be physically present for every FTA interaction. Issued the same day, valid immediately, and available fully remotely.
If you would like to appoint a tax agent for your business or need to review your existing authorisation arrangements, send us your documents and we will advise on the right scope and wording — with no obligation.
Abdul Hamid is a legal consultant with extensive experience in providing legal advice in the United Arab Emirates. His expertise focuses on legal drafting, resolving commercial disputes, and drafting and reviewing corporate and employment contracts.