UAE Corporate Tax 2023 — A Complete Guide

Harsh Drolia

Harsh Drolia

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On 31st January 2022, the UAE’s government announced it would be introducing a new corporate tax. Historically, The United Arab Emirates has not imposed taxes on the profits of corporations except those in a handful of industries such as resource extraction and foreign banks. However, from the financial year beginning on 1st June 2023, many more companies operating in the territory will need to begin paying the new 9% corporate tax rate.

The new UAE corporate tax will not affect every business, and many will not need to pay the tax at all. Let’s learn more about the new UAE corporate tax and what it means for you.

Here is everything you need to know about the United Arab Emirates’ newly announced corporate tax.

The UAE’s corporate tax history

For many years, the United Arab Emirates operated as a very low tax jurisdiction. Citizens do not pay tax on their income and most companies have never had to pay any form of corporate tax. Most of the state’s revenues came from nationalised and private fossil fuel extraction industries that paid around a 50% tax on revenues. Meanwhile, foreign banks have long paid a 20% corporate tax on operating profits, and hotels and restaurants in Dubai paid certain taxes, too.

However, in recent years the United Arab Emirates has begun trying to diversify its economy away from fossil fuels. This means that there are a growing number of businesses that currently do not pay any tax at all. With less potential revenue from fossil fuels and a fast-growing economy, it makes sense for the government to tax revenues on businesses to enable further investment in infrastructure, education and healthcare.

The United Arab Emirates first introduced a VAT tax in 2018, which imposed a 5% levy on all consumer purchases. Then in January 2022, the government announced a corporate tax of 9% that would come into effect the following year.

Another reason is that the United Arab Emirates has introduced its new corporate tax is to bring the country in line with international norms and to help tackle tax avoidance. Most other advanced economies around the world impose taxes on business profits, and the 9% tax on UAE companies is still significantly lower than the norm in most other developed countries (which is usually around 20%). The new UAE corporate tax will also help disincentivise foreign businesses from trying to use the country as a base to avoid tax in their home countries.

The UAE’s 2023 corporate tax – what is it?

The UAE’s 2023 corporate tax will be a 9% tax on the profits (revenue minus expenses) of all businesses which generate over 375,000 AED (about USD $100,000). Businesses that generate less than this sum of money will continue to pay a 0% tax rate.

In addition to the corporate tax, the UAE has also announced that large multinational firms with profits of more than EUR 750 million will have to pay a 15% tax – this is in line with the Global Minimum Corporate Tax Rate agreement.

The new UAE corporate tax will come into effect in the tax year beginning June 1st 2023, and so most companies will have to start setting aside money to pay their taxes from that date. Businesses whose tax year begins in January will not have to start paying tax on revenues generated before 1st January 2024.

Features of Corporate Tax Regime

The corporate tax regime in Dubai includes a diverse amount of policies, from corporate taxes and VAT systems to the absence of federal income tax. Read on to find out notable features of the tax system.

  • Who can be taxed?

Legal entities with notable legal personalities like LLCs, PSCs, PJSCs, LLPs and others will be levied with tax. On top of that, any foreign legal entity that earns income in the UAE and is a tax resident will be charged. Although free zones will incur 0% corporate taxes in return that they comply with all regulatory requirements, this is also applicable to free zone companies that engage in trade activity with the mainland. Non-residents and residents of the UAE may also be subjected to corporate taxing policies.

  • Tax rates

If a business earns income that doesn’t exceed AED 375,000, 0% tax will be charged, and 9% will be charged if income earned exceeds AED 375,000. Also, a different tax rate will be charged for larger multinational companies that have different business conditions.

  • Who is exempted?

Upon receiving dividends or selling shares of a subsidiary company, corporate tax law will include a participation exemption from corporate tax. Also, charities, public benefit organisations, investment funds, businesses engaged in the extraction of oil and resources along with wholly government-owned companies are excluded from corporation taxes.

  • Calculating taxable income

Generally, the account net profit or loss shown in the company’s financial statements will be used to determine the tax percentage and income. In case of a company loss, the business could offset the value against taxable income in future financial years up to 75%.

  • Groups

A group of companies may be able to form a tax group in which they would be capable of being treated as a sole taxable entity. To do so, a company or subsidiary needs to refrain from being an exempted party or being registered in a free zone.

  • Tax credits

In efforts to avoid double taxation, the regime will allow for a credit in parallel with foreign tax paid in a foreign jurisdiction against foreign tax income which has not been exempted.

UAE-Corporate-Tax-2023

Will free zone companies be taxed?

It is not yet entirely clear how the new UAE corporate tax will apply to businesses that are based in free zones. According to the government announcement, free zone companies will still be able to benefit from the advantages provided by their own specific free zone’s pre-agreed incentives. However, in future, free zones may decide to change the rules and could potentially introduce the tax.

If free zone companies do business with mainland businesses, they will normally have to pay the corporate tax on revenues generated by working with them.

Free zone companies will also need to register and file a corporate tax return, even though they won’t have to actually pay any tax.

Will personal income be taxed in Dubai?

No, there are currently no plans to tax people’s personal income in Dubai or the rest of the UAE. The only form of personal income tax in Dubai is the 5% VAT tax which everyone must pay on consumer goods and services.

Will there be capital gains tax on dividends in Dubai?

No, there are currently no plans to introduce a capital gains tax on dividends received in the United Arab Emirates or Dubai. At the time of writing (March 2022) business owners and investors do not pay any capital gains tax on dividends from the businesses they’ve invested in.

Why start your company in Meydan Free Zone?

Meydan Free Zone, located in central Dubai, is the perfect place to launch a business in the Emirate. According to the Federal Tax Authority, companies based in our free zone can benefit from a Corporate Tax rate of 0% on their Qualifying Income if they “meet the conditions to be considered a Qualifying Free Zone Person.” 

For the moment, if you maintain adequate substance in the UAE, derive ‘Qualifying Income’, have not made an election to be subject to Corporate Tax at the standard rates, and comply with the transfer pricing requirements under the Corporate Tax Law, you are considered a “Qualifying Free Zone Person”. Note that the Minister may prescribe additional conditions that a Qualifying Free Zone Person must meet.

 

Besides the chance to qualify for 0% Corporate Tax on your Qualifying Income, choosing Meydan Free Zone provides plenty of other benefits. Our free zone is based close to the central business district, airport, roads and leisure facilities. It provides 24/7 access, high-quality internet connections and all the technical support you need to run a successful company. Our experienced consultants can support you with all aspects of business setup in Dubai, which means you can focus on launching your business – and leave the admin to us. We can even advise you on things like filling in your corporate tax return (free zone companies will still need to file and register one after June 2023, even though they don’t have to pay the tax itself).

 

We also provide a number of additional services to entrepreneurs hoping to start companies in Dubai. For example, Meydan Pay provides you with a digital wallet and an IBAN which allows you to receive payments from your customers anywhere in the world. Learn more about Meydan Pay here.

Similarly, Meydan Commerce is a unique offering that helps you to sell products via e-commerce websites like noon and Amazon. This can be really helpful if you want to run an e-commerce company from Dubai, UAE. And, to make launching your enterprise more affordable, our Easy Payment Plans let you spread the cost of starting your Dubai Free Zone company over the course of several months.

Join thousands of other entrepreneurs who’ve launched successful companies in the UAE and benefit from the continued 0% corporate tax rate we offer. Contact Meydan Free Zone today!

FAQ 1: Is UAE tax-free for business?

Business set up in the UAE mainland will be subjected to a certain amount of taxes, although free zones in Dubai, such as Meydan Free Zone allow 0% corporate and personal tax to be levied upon business profits if the business meets the conditions to be considered a Qualifying Free Zone Person.

FAQ 2: Who pays corporate tax in the UAE?

All businesses operating in commercial activities and other businesses are subjected to paying corporate tax with a few business models having exemptions. Ex- Businesses involved in the extraction of oil.

FAQ 3: Why is corporate tax introduced in the UAE?

A detailed and extensive corporate regime in the UAE was introduced in order to amplify Dubai’s global position as a hub for investment and innovative startups, with affordable registration costs, inclusive of no corporate taxes.

FAQ 4: How much is corporate tax in the UAE?

Dubai follows a progressive corporate tax system with rates between 9% to 55%.

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