By introducing a corporate tax, the United Arab Emirates (UAE)/Dubai reaffirmed its commitment to international standards of tax transparency and the prevention of harmful tax practices.
This corporate tax, which came into force on June 1, 2023, is governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 on the Taxation of Corporations and Businesses (https://mof.gov.ae/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Federal-Decree-Law-No.-47-of-2022-EN.pdf), (“Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022“).
Taxable companies will now have to register for corporate tax (https://tax.gov.ae/en/services/corporate.tax.registration.aspx) and obtain a corporate tax registration number from the Federal Tax Authority, which is the competent authority for corporate tax matters.
The corporate tax return must be filed for each tax period within 9 months of the end of the tax period.
As regards the rate applicable to this new tax, taxable income over 375 000 AED will be taxed at a rate of 9%, while income below this threshold will be taxed at a rate of 0% (Article 3 of the law).
On reading this Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 (1.), we understand that its scope is quite wide without being absolute, which will have the effect of subjecting a certain number of people to the tax (1.a), while providing for exemptions under some conditions (1.b).
Furthermore, although taxable income (2.) is numerous, due to the duality of the criteria for determining such income(2.a), Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 provides for the deductibility of some expenses, which will have the effect of reducing taxation (2.b).
1.Scope of application of Federal Decree-law No. 47 of 2022
Although the law applies to a wide range of individuals and companies (a), its scope is not absolute, as exemptions are provided (b).