Businesses will become subject to UAE corporate tax from the beginning of their first financial year that starts on or after June 1, 2023.
Businesses and commercial activities to be taxed
The corporate tax will apply to all businesses and commercial activities alike, except for the extraction of natural resources which will remain subject to Emirate level corporate taxation.
With a standard statutory tax rate of 9 percent and a 0 percent tax rate for taxable profits up to Dh375,000 to support small businesses and startups, the UAE corporate tax regime will be amongst the most competitive in the world.
Will individuals fall under the purview of tax?
No corporate tax will apply on personal income from employment, real estate, and other investments, or on any other income earned by individuals that do not arise from a business or other form of commercial activity licensed or otherwise permitted to be undertaken in the UAE.
"As a leading jurisdiction for innovation and investment, the UAE plays a pivotal role in helping businesses grow, locally and globally. The certainty of a competitive and best in class corporate tax regime, together with the UAE’s extensive double tax treaty network, will cement the UAE’s position as a world-leading hub for business and investment", said Younis Haji Al Khoori, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance.
Younis Haji Al Khoori further adds that "with the introduction of corporate tax, the UAE reaffirms its commitment to meeting international standards for tax transparency and preventing harmful tax practices. The regime will pave the way for the UAE to address the challenges arising from the digitalization of the global economy and the other remaining BEPS [Base Erosion and Profit Shifting] concerns, and execute its support for the introduction of a global minimum tax rate by applying a different corporate tax rate to large multinationals that meet specific criteria set with reference to the above initiative." Corporate tax incentives Recognizing the contribution of free zones to the UAE’s economy and competitiveness, the UAE corporate tax regime will continue to honor the corporate tax incentives currently being offered to free zone businesses that comply with all regulatory requirements and that do not conduct business with mainland UAE.
Given the position of the UAE as a global financial center and an international business hub, the UAE will not impose withholding taxes on domestic and cross-border payments, or subject foreign investors who do not carry on business in the UAE to corporate tax.
UAE business will be exempt from paying tax As an international headquarter location, a UAE business will be exempt from paying tax on capital gains and dividends received from its qualifying shareholdings, and foreign taxes will be allowed to be credited against UAE corporate tax payable.
The UAE corporate tax regime will have generous loss utilization rules and will allow UAE groups to be taxed as a single entity or to apply for group relief in respect of losses and intragroup transactions and restructurings.
One corporate tax return each financial year
The UAE corporate tax regime will ensure the compliance burden is kept to a minimum for businesses that prepare and maintain adequate financial statements.
Businesses will only need to file one corporate tax return each financial year and will not be required to make advance tax payments or prepare provisional tax returns.