Federal Tax Authority and New Economy Academy begin training 50 Emiratis in Emirati Tax Agent programme
FTA and New Economy Academy start training 50 Emiratis in the Emirati Tax Agent programme, targeting 500 licensed agents within three years to boost capacity.
The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) and the New Economy Academy have launched the first training cycle of the Emirati Tax Agent programme, enrolling 50 Emirati nationals as the initial cohort. The programme, announced under the UAE’s national campaign to position the country as a global entrepreneurship hub, aims to licence 500 Emirati tax agents over the next three years. The training will prepare participants for professional accreditation through two specialised diplomas in value-added tax and corporate tax.
FTA and Academy sign strategic collaboration
The training follows a memorandum of understanding between the Federal Tax Authority and the New Economy Academy to expand specialised tax education for Emirati citizens. FTA Director-General Abdulaziz Mohammed Al Mulla described the initiative as a strategic step to increase reliance on national expertise within the UAE’s tax ecosystem. The partnership will focus on continuous learning and professional development to strengthen tax governance, transparency and voluntary compliance nationwide.
First cohort composition and programme goals
The inaugural cohort comprises 50 Emirati trainees divided equally between two diplomas: 25 in the VAT diploma and 25 in the corporate tax diploma. The programme’s immediate objective is to equip these candidates with the technical knowledge and practical skills required to register and operate as FTA‑recognised tax agents. Over the next three years, the wider target is to issue licences to 500 Emirati tax agents to support both public and private sector needs.
Curriculum details: VAT diploma syllabus
The VAT diploma covers the legal and regulatory framework governing value-added tax in the UAE, registration procedures, preparation and filing of VAT returns, and maintaining compliant accounting records. Training includes practical modules, professional applications and case studies designed to mirror common business scenarios. Candidates will also receive guidance on client engagement, compliance checks and documentation standards to ensure high-quality service delivery.
Curriculum details: Corporate tax diploma syllabus
The corporate tax diploma addresses the fundamentals of the UAE’s corporate taxation system, including registration requirements, disclosure and filing obligations, and the calculation of accounting profit versus taxable income. Practical sessions will focus on real-world tax computations, preparing statutory returns and navigating disclosure obligations for different business structures. Participants will work through simulated audits and advisory scenarios to develop hands-on competency.
Professional pathway and market opportunities
Graduates of the Emirati Tax Agent programme will be positioned to register as authorised tax agents with the Federal Tax Authority and to offer advisory services to businesses and government entities. The training also emphasises business development skills, enabling trainees to market agency services and build client relationships. Officials say the programme will create career pathways in both the public and private sectors, increasing the presence of Emirati professionals in a rapidly growing tax services market.
Capacity building and national objectives
FTA leadership underscored the priority of encouraging citizens to enter the tax intermediary profession and pledged regulatory support and facilitation for qualified Emirati agents. The initiative aligns with broader national goals to nurture a knowledge-based economy and to support the UAE’s competitiveness through skilled local talent. New Economy Academy Chief Executive Dr Laila Freidoun highlighted the academy’s commitment to equipping nationals with advanced competencies that meet modern economic demands.
The Emirati Tax Agent programme combines theoretical instruction with applied training and case work to meet international professional standards. By blending legal knowledge with practical advisory skills, the initiative seeks to ensure that certified agents can deliver robust, compliant and commercially aware tax services. The FTA and the academy will monitor progress and expand intake in subsequent cohorts to meet the three‑year licensing target.
This first training cycle represents an early milestone in the UAE’s plan to develop a homegrown cadre of tax professionals who can support the country’s evolving fiscal framework and serve the needs of a dynamic business environment.
