Why You Need a Professional Valuer for Golden Visa, Gifting and Corporate Tax in Dubai

Beyond the Transaction: Why You Need a Professional Valuer for Golden Visa, Gifting and Corporate Tax

Real estate in the UAE is more than a personal asset or investment class - it’s becoming a critical pillar in tax planning, wealth structuring, and residency strategies. Whether you're applying for a Golden Visa, gifting property to a relative, or preparing for your Corporate Tax filing, the accuracy of your property valuation can directly affect your financial and legal outcomes.

At Archers, we often say: “Valuation is not a formality. It’s the foundation.” Here’s why a professional valuation - done by an RERA-registered and RICS-compliant valuer - can save you far more than it costs.

Golden Visa: Why Valuation Matters

To qualify for a 10-year Golden Visa via property investment, the property must meet the AED 2 million threshold. However, buyers are often surprised to learn that the valuation certificate - not the sales agreement - is what counts.

The Dubai Land Department (DLD) requires a formal valuation to confirm the property meets the threshold. If the value falls short due to market correction or if it’s an off-plan purchase, the application can be rejected.

Archers helps Golden Visa applicants secure compliant and timely valuation reports that meet DLD standards and avoid costly delays or surprises.

Gifting Property: Legal, Tax, and Valuation Risks

Gifting property to a family member sounds simple - but in Dubai and the wider UAE, it involves a formal valuation, legal documentation, and submission to DLD.

Why the valuation matters:

• DLD levies a reduced gifting fee, but it’s based on fair market value
• An undervalued property may be flagged, while an overvalued one can increase your cost
• You need a “Taqeemi” certificate from an approved valuer to proceed
• Incomplete documentation can delay or invalidate the gift transfer

We’ve supported individuals and family offices through gifting transfers involving everything from villas and apartments to commercial portfolios. Our role? Provide clear, defensible value backed by local data and DLD familiarity.

Corporate Tax: Your Property’s Value = Your Tax Base

Under UAE Corporate Tax rules, companies with real estate on their balance sheet must now account for:

• Fair market value gains (if reporting under IFRS)
• Depreciation eligibility (if the asset is held at cost)
• One-time fair value election as of 2023 (for reduced future tax)

The mistake? Many businesses ignore valuation until it’s too late. Filing without it means the FTA may assume default values - often to your disadvantage.

At Archers, we’ve been engaged by CFOs and tax advisors to produce audit-grade valuation reports that stand up to scrutiny, allow tax deductions, and protect against misreporting.

Why It Has To Be a Professional Valuer

Here’s what sets a qualified valuer apart:

• Compliance – DLD, RERA, and FTA accept only certified valuers
• Accuracy – Based on real-time market data, not outdated assumptions
• Independence – Prevents conflict of interest, especially in gifting or intra-group transfers
• Audit readiness – A structured report can be shared with auditors, legal counsel, or regulators
• Speed – Time-sensitive filings, visa deadlines, and transfer windows are part of our workflow

Archers: Valuation as Advisory, Not Admin

We’re not here to simply issue PDFs. We partner with lawyers, tax consultants, private banks and individuals to advise on the real-world implications of your valuation - whether that’s enabling a family restructure or preparing your business for the Corporate Tax era.

So before you file, gift or apply, ask yourself:
Is your valuation protecting your long-term interests - or just ticking a box?

📩 For professional real estate valuations across Dubai and the UAE -
Contact Archers at:
📞 +971 58 557 8987
📧 info@archersmena.com
🌐 www.archersmena.com