Taxation in the United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven Emirates, with autonomous federal and local governments. The UAE has historically been a low-tax jurisdiction.[1] The federal government and local governments are entitled to levy taxes on citizens and companies. The federal government currently levies a value added tax, corporate income tax, and excise taxes. Some emirates levy property, transfer, excise and tourism taxes. Some emirates also charge corporate taxes on oil companies and foreign banks.

The UAE federal tax system is administered by the Federal Tax Authority (FTA), which was founded ahead of the 2018 implementation of a federal value added tax (VAT). The current standard VAT rate in the country is 5%.[2][3] In January 2022, the UAE Ministry of Finance announced the implementation of a federal corporate tax starting June 2023.[4] The standard rate of corporate tax is 9%, some exempt businesses and those with net annual profits under AED375,000 (US$102,100) qualify for a rate of 0%, and that fall under the criteria of the global minimum corporate tax rate agreement are charged a corporate tax rate of 15%.[5] Free zone businesses can get exempt from corporate tax as long as they do not do business with the UAE mainland and follow other UAE guidelines.[6] The federal government also levies excise taxes on alcohol, energy drinks, vaping liquids and devices, and cigarettes.[7][8]

  1. ^ "A new corporate tax regime in the UAE -Trowers & Hamlins". www.trowers.com. Retrieved 2023-06-17.
  2. ^ "VAT in UAE 2018". Retrieved 12 September 2017.
  3. ^ "VAT". www.mof.gov.ae. Retrieved 2017-09-14.
  4. ^ "UAE to introduce corporate tax". thearabianpost.com. 31 January 2022. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  5. ^ "UAE to introduce 9% corporate tax on business profits from June 1, 2023". gulfnews.com. 31 January 2022. Archived from the original on 2022-01-31. Retrieved 2022-02-01.
  6. ^ van Doremalen, Ton. "UAE introduces federal corporate income tax from June 2023". DLA PIPER. Archived from the original on 1 February 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  7. ^ "UAE's expanded 'sin tax' comes in with sugary drinks, vapes and regular cigarettes rising in price". December 2019.
  8. ^ "Excise tax - the Official Portal of the UAE Government".