Corporate Tax in the UAE

In the past few years, the UAE experienced significant tax changes with a view to streamline its tax system and bring it in line with international best practices, whilst also diversifying its state revenue. Starting with the implementation of Value Added Tax (VAT) in January 2018, followed by the introduction of economic substance rules (ESR) as well as Country-by-Country Reporting (CbCR) regulations in April 2019, the UAE has been through a series of tax reforms in the last few years to align itself with international markets and diversify its revenue.

The new CT law will levy corporate income tax on business profits made by UAE businesses, over the course of a tax accounting period.

The Law and details of the regulation are expected to be issued in mid-2022, and the natural question that arises is: do businesses have sufficient information to assess the impact of this announcement?

In this alert, we share our insight based on the FAQ issued by the MoF.

The CT will be applicable for financial years starting on or after 1 June 2023.

Any company that adopts a fiscal year starting on 1 June 2023 and ending 31 May 2024  will be subject to CT starting 1 June 2023. The first tax return filing is likely to be due towards the end of 2024.

Any company that adopts a calendar year starting 1 January 2023 and ending 31 December 2023 will  be subject to CT starting 1 January 2024 and filing is likely to be due towards mid-2025. 

The UAE has introduced a federal tax system that is applicable to all businesses and commercial activities operating within the seven emirates. However, there are certain exceptions:

• Businesses operating in the extraction of natural resources. These will continue to be subject to the tax decrees issued by the respective Emirate
• Individuals earning income in their personal capacity (i.e. salary, investment income) as long as the income generating activity does not require a commercial license
• Businesses registered in Free Trade Zones, provided they comply with all the regulatory requirements, and that do not conduct business with Mainland UAE

It is interesting to note that the foreign Banking sector, which has been operating under the Emirate level Bank tax decree will now be subject to the UAE Federal Tax Law. The impact of CT on the Emirate level banking tax decree will be communicated in due course. This will be a significant shift for both branches of foreign Banks, that will need to switch to the new Law and for local banks who similar to other businesses will now be subject to corporate tax.

The announced UAE CT regime introduces a tier system with 3 rates:

• All annual taxable profits that fall under AED 375,000 shall be subject to zero rate.
• All annual taxable profits above AED 375,000 shall be subject to 9% rate.
• ALL MNEs that fall under the scope of Pillar 2 of the BEPS 2.0 framework (i.e. consolidated global revenues in excess of AED 3.15 billion) shall be subject to different rates as per OECD Base Erosion and Profit-Sharing rules.

Taxable profits are the accounting profits subject to certain adjustments. 

The following income shall be in general exempt from income Tax:

• Dividend income earned by UAE company from its qualifying shareholdings (to be defined in the law)
• Capital gains
• Profits from group reorganization
• Profits from Intra-group transactions

There will be no UAE withholding tax on domestic and cross-border payments.

Considering the exempt income scheme it can be anticipated that the Law shall include a participation exemption or similar principles commonly seen in international markets and businesses would need to evaluate if they will be able to meet the prescribed conditions (if any) to avail the exempt income scheme. 

The UAE intends to honor its commitment to businesses registered in Free Trade Zones to the extent that such businesses do not conduct business with mainland shall be subject to zero percent tax (or be exempt as the case may be)  until the end of the holiday period.  All free zones have to file an annual CT return.

Businesses with presence in both Mainland UAE and Free Trade Zones as well as those operating under the dual license scheme should consider the impact on their operating model.

The OECD Transfer Pricing Rules shall now be applicable in the UAE. All companies have to comply with the Transfer Pricing rules and documentation requirements. These transfer pricing rules will now become mandatory and may also be applicable to domestic transactions.

While intercompany sales and financing services are common practice amongst UAE groups, previously remuneration for these activities has not been on the forefront given the transactions would likely be eliminated upon financial consolidation.

This is a game changer as intercompany transactions would need to be undertaken at arm’s length and generally should be supported by appropriate documentation.  Businesses would need to evaluate their current arrangements and assess the impact on both cross-border as well as domestic transactions.

Accumulated taxable losses shall be allowed to offset future taxable profits. 

Tax grouping and group relief provisions are allowed. UAE Groups should be able to file consolidated tax returns. Offsetting tax losses among groups might be allowed. 

Taxable entities will be allowed to take as a credit against its annual tax liability the foreign corporate tax paid on UAE taxable income.