Strategizing Multinational Tax Risks

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) have enacted new economic substance requirements that entered into force at the end of April 2019.

In response to EU Code of Conduct Group (COCG) initiatives, the governments of Bahamas, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands (BVI), Cayman Islands, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey, Mauritius and Seychelles introduced economic substance rules with effect from 1 January 2019. The rules are based on the guidance and requirements issued by the EU and the OECD, and are designed to ensure that companies operating in a low or no corporate tax jurisdiction have a substantial purpose other than tax reduction and an economic outcome that is aligned with value creation.  To align with the international standards, the UAE has now enacted substance rules.

To meet the economic substance requirement, companies will generally need to satisfy the following three tests:

1. The company should be directed and managed in the UAE for the specific activity.
2. The company’s CIGA should be performed in the UAE.
3. The company should have an adequate level of qualified employees, premises and annual operating expenditures.

Companies with UAE operations, especially without adequate substance, should review the new rules or administrative penalties or reregistration.

EY’s Global Tax Alert provides additional details for reference.

Click to access 2019G_003050-19Gbl_UAE%20enacts%20economic%20substance%20rules.pdf