The Saudi Business Compliance Calendar: Key Deadlines Every Company Must Meet

In Saudi Arabia, staying compliant isn’t just good practice, it’s a legal imperative. Companies operating in the Kingdom face a range of regulatory requirements, each with its own deadline. Missing even one could mean heavy penalties, reputational damage, or disruption to operations.

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This guide highlights the essential compliance deadlines and frameworks businesses must adhere to in 2025 and beyond, particularly if you’re leveraging corporate compliance services to manage expansion or operations in Saudi Arabia.

Understanding Saudi Arabia’s Corporate Compliance Landscape

Saudi Arabia’s business environment is undergoing rapid transformation under Vision 2030. To attract investment and enhance governance, the Kingdom has introduced a series of compliance reforms across tax, labour, and corporate governance systems. Understanding these obligations is critical.

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Here are the core areas to focus on:

• Corporate Tax in Saudi Arabia
• Mudad, Muqeem and Qiwa platforms
• Saudization and Labour Market Compliance
• Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO) Reporting
• ZATCA E-Invoicing Deadlines

Let’s break down what you need to track, and when.

Key Compliance Deadlines for 2025

1. Corporate Tax Filings

• Quarterly Zakat and Corporate Income Tax Payments: Due at the end of each quarter (March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31).
• Annual Return Submission: Filed with the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) within 120 days after the fiscal year ends.

Tip: Businesses with foreign shareholders must submit income tax in addition to Zakat.

2. UBO (Ultimate Beneficial Ownership) Reporting

• Deadline: April 3, 2025
• Requirement: Mandatory for all legal entities to disclose beneficial ownership via the Ministry of Commerce portal.

3. Saudization Quota Monitoring (Nitaqat Program)

• Frequency: Monthly Monitoring
• Key Platforms: Qiwa
• Requirement: Maintain minimum Saudi employee ratios based on sector and company size.

4. Mudad Compliance for Wage Protection

• Monthly Submission: Payroll data must be uploaded within 10 days post salary disbursement.

5. Muqeem Compliance for Residency and Work Permits

• Regular Updates: Residency permit (Iqama) renewals, exits/re-entries, and sponsorship transfers must be tracked.

6. Qiwa Compliance for Labour Contracts

• New Contracts: Must be registered in Qiwa within 12 months of employment.
• Amendments: Changes to employment terms must be updated promptly.

7. ZATCA E-Invoicing (Fatoora)

• Mandatory Integration Phase: Ongoing in 2025
• Action: Businesses must integrate invoicing systems with ZATCA for real-time transaction tracking.

What Happens If You Miss a Compliance Deadline?

• Fines: Up to SAR 500,000 for UBO non-compliance
• Operational Restrictions: Delays in Iqama renewals or business license suspension
• Reputational Risk: Non-compliance impacts trust with local partners and regulators

How Corporate Compliance Services Help

Specialised corporate compliance services simplify this process by:

• Offering automated reminders and tracking
• Managing interactions with platforms like Mudad, Muqeem, and Qiwa
• Ensuring all tax and reporting requirements are met accurately

Peninsula, for instance, manages all regulatory filings and obligations for clients, ensuring full alignment with Saudi law while freeing your team to focus on growth.

Related Questions

What are corporate compliance requirements in Saudi Arabia?

These include tax filings, employee documentation, Saudization quotas, and digital platform obligations across Qiwa, Mudad, and Muqeem.

When are tax deadlines in Saudi Arabia?

Quarterly payments are due at the end of March, June, September, and December. Annual returns are due within 120 days after fiscal year-end.

How do I stay compliant with Saudi regulations?

Use trusted corporate compliance services to monitor deadlines, submit filings, and manage HR obligations. Regular audits and digital tools also help.

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In Saudi Arabia, compliance isn’t an afterthought, it’s a strategic function. When managed correctly, it becomes a competitive advantage. At Peninsula, we ensure our clients are not just compliant but confidently positioned for sustainable growth."

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Ready to simplify your compliance obligations? Book a free consultation with Peninsula’s experts today and build your business on a foundation of confidence.

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About Alistair:

‍Alistair Paine brings 15 years of dedicated experience in Saudi market entry, guiding Fortune 500 companies and innovative scale-ups through successful establishment in the Kingdom. His expertise in Saudi company formation, licensing and market entry strategy, positions him as a leading authority and consultant in international business expansion to Saudi Arabia.

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Schedule a free consultation with Alistair and the Peninsula team to understand which market entry strategy is best suited to your business setup in Saudi Arabia.

Email: Alistair@peninsulacs.com

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