Overview & Explainers
    0:41

    UAE R&D Tax Credits Explained

    Presented by Shoayb Patel, Founder — RDvault

    The UAE R&D tax credits for 2026 are now confirmed and in effect, and this video captures the moment RDvault founder Shoayb Patel explained why every UAE business and Dubai startup should begin preparing immediately. It covers the broad scope of activities that qualify and why cost tracking from 1 January 2026 is essential to maximising a claim. Note: This video references a credit rate of 30 to 50 percent, which was based on early consultation figures. The confirmed rates under Cabinet Decision 215 of 2025 are 15 to 50 percent across three bands. See the legislation walkthrough for the full confirmed rate structure. The credit is now in effect under Cabinet Decision 215 of 2025 and Ministerial Decision 24 of 2026. It offers non-refundable credits of 15 to 50 percent on qualifying R&D expenditure up to AED 5 million, with a maximum credit of AED 2 million per tax period. Businesses that have not yet begun tracking qualifying costs should start immediately, as retrospective claims require contemporaneous records to withstand FTA scrutiny. The video covers the broad sector applicability of the scheme, from fintech API development to AI model testing to product troubleshooting. This is not a niche incentive for large corporates but an accessible mechanism for any UAE business investing in technical innovation.

    R&D Tax Credits
    Compliance
    Industry Insights
    R&D tax credit explained
    Dubai startups

    Transcript

    Now, starting Jan '26, UAE businesses can claim 30 to 50% back on eligible R&D spend. But what does that actually mean? So, if you're testing a new product, running experiments, building software, or even troubleshooting technical problems, you could get cash back from the government. This isn't just for biotech labs or hardware startups. If you're a fintech building new APIs or a founder testing AI models, you might already qualify. Now, the best part, you don't need to wait until 2026 to take action. You need to start tracking your costs to claim it later. I'm Shoayb, founder of RDvault. We streamline the entire process so you're ready from day one. Follow for more tips and let's make sure you don't leave funding on the table.

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