New UAE tax club offers SMEs guidance, training and trusted adviser access.
Dubai: Small businesses seeking to save money by choosing low-cost tax advice could face bigger bills from filing errors, penalties, and compliance challenges, the founder of a new Dubai-based tax platform said on Tuesday.
Saqib Iqbal, founder of the Tax Experts Club UAE, said SMEs often face challenges accessing affordable, experienced tax advisers, with some turning to providers who may not have the required skills or credentials.
Iqbal said businesses often switch from experienced advisers to cheaper providers because of cost concerns, but the lower-priced option may not always deliver the expertise needed.
“The cheapest option is not necessarily the right option, and that can lead businesses into trouble and create bigger problems,” he said at the launch.
The consequences can include additional fines and inaccurate guidance from unqualified advisers or freelancers, he added.
Tax rules create new challenges
According to Iqbal, the Tax Experts Club UAE was launched as businesses adapt to an increasingly complex tax environment covering corporate tax, value-added tax, transfer pricing, the global minimum tax, and other compliance obligations.
He said tax professionals currently lack a dedicated platform where they can discuss complex issues, exchange views, and collaborate on interpreting new regulatory requirements.
“When it comes to raising questions or discussing tax matters, there is no single platform where professionals can come together and share knowledge. Instead, discussions often happen in an unstructured way,” he said.
The club aims to unite tax practitioners, accountants, auditors, finance professionals, consultants, and business leaders through networking opportunities, technical discussions, and ongoing professional development programmes.
The club’s planned activities will focus on six key areas: building a professional community, providing education, engaging with government authorities, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, developing tax career opportunities, and creating a marketplace that connects businesses with advisers.
Support planned for small businesses
A key priority for the club will be bridging the gap between tax professionals and SMEs that may not have the resources to access comprehensive advisory services.
The platform plans to organise quarterly tax workshops for SMEs, publish compliance guides and educational resources, and maintain a directory of verified tax advisers on its website.
It also intends to introduce affordable advisory packages that connect small businesses with participating tax professionals and firms.
Iqbal said many SMEs remain underserved and lack access to the right level of tax guidance.
“These small and medium enterprises are sometimes not connected to the support they need. They are not always receiving the right level of guidance,” he said.
A committee will also be established to coordinate pro bono support from members willing to assist businesses facing tax challenges but unable to afford standard advisory fees.
Iqbal said the initiative would rely on tax professionals contributing their time and expertise, with the details of the support programme to be developed by the club’s founding members.
Training and recognised CPD programmes
The club also plans to offer continuing professional development programmes focused on UAE tax legislation and local compliance requirements.
Its courses and events are expected to receive endorsement from the Institute of Financial Accountants in the UK, enabling participants to count them towards CPD requirements where recognised by their respective professional bodies.
Iqbal said professionals pursuing international accounting qualifications often study tax systems from other countries that may not directly reflect the markets in which they later build their careers.
The new programmes will focus on UAE tax regulations, regulatory developments, and practical challenges faced by local businesses and tax professionals.
Twelve CPD events are scheduled between August 2026 and January 2027, including in-person sessions, online programmes, industry roundtables, and networking opportunities.
Job board and adviser marketplace planned
The club is also developing a dedicated job board for UAE tax professionals to connect qualified candidates with companies and advisory firms.
Iqbal said employers often face challenges in evaluating candidates’ tax expertise, experience, and professional value, while professionals lack a specialised platform to discover career opportunities within the sector.
The club also plans to develop an online marketplace where businesses can connect with tax consultants and practitioners can access new assignments.
Both initiatives are still under development, with the marketplace expected to take between three and five months to complete, according to Iqbal.
Specialist committees will oversee areas including technical matters, education, events, government relations, industry engagement, technology, and membership. A dedicated committee will also focus on electronic invoicing.
Membership target set at 500
Attendees at Tuesday’s launch will be offered the opportunity to join as founding members at no cost during the first year.
Iqbal said the club may introduce an annual membership fee of between Dh1,000 and Dh1,500 from the second year to support operational expenses, although the final amount has yet to be decided.
The organisation aims to grow its membership base to more than 500 members in 2026, 1,000 in 2027, and 2,000 in the following year.
The club also plans to establish regional chapters across the UAE and strengthen engagement with the Federal Tax Authority, the Ministry of Finance, and other government entities through briefings, working groups, and an annual tax policy forum.
Iqbal said the club’s role will be to provide tax practitioners with a platform to expand their knowledge, advance their careers, and collaborate as the UAE’s tax framework continues to evolve.
