International Taxation in the UAE

Taxation:

• Corporation Tax: 0% (14% or 20% only when profits are distributed)
• Capital Gains Tax: 20% (in form of income tax)
• VAT: 0 – 20%

Main benefits of the jurisdiction:

• Full participation exemption for dividend income for qualifying holdings
• No withholding tax on outbound dividends paid to non-residents
• No exchange control regulations
• No thin capitalization rules
• Access to EU directives
• Large number of Double Tax Treaties

Types of entities: Private limited company, Public limited company, Limited partnership, General partnership, Commercial association, Nonprofit organization, Sole proprietorship

Disclosure rules:

• Public Registry of Ultimate Beneficial Owners: Yes
• Public Registry of Companies: Yes

Time to incorporate: Starting form 24 hours

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Taxation:

• Corporate Profit Tax – 15%, payable only when the dividend is distributed. Zero tax possible when using Free Zone companies or Virtual Zones Companies.
• Import Tax – 0%, 5% or 12%
• Excise Tax – depends on the listed products
• Property Tax – up to 1%
• Double Tax Treaties Network – very broad, more than 50 DTTs signed
• Tax year – tax calendar year
• Advance Rulings from tax authorities – available
• VAT registration – voluntary, only obligatory if the turnover of activities subject to VAT exceeds GEL 100,000 per annum
• VAT rates – standard rate: 18%
• Social Security TAX – 0%

Main benefits of the jurisdiction:

• Located in a trade strategic area between Asia and Europe
• Ranked as 7th place in the world for ease of doing business.
• Has successfully adopted the DCFTA that results in having eliminated all customs duties for goods originating in Georgia being imported into the EU
• Free trade agreement (FTA) with China is effective which makes Georgia the second European country (after Switzerland) that has FTA with China
• Offers numerous incentives for the development of the business environment.
• One of the most competitive markets in its region
• Offers three industrial zones, created to cater the needs of specific business sectors and they are to be found in Poti, Kutaisi and Tbilisi.

Main tax incentives that Georgia offers are:

• STC licensed Georgian LLC: exemption from tax for trading performed outside Georgia
• IFC licensed Georgian LLC: exemption from tax for international financial services and holding companies selling shares of foreign entities
• VZC licensed Georgian LLC: exemption from tax for providing IT services outside Georgia
• Free Zone Companies: exemption from any corporate tax and withholding tax.
• Public Registry of Ultimate Beneficial Owners: No
• Public Registry of Companies: Yes

Time to incorporate:  24 hours

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Taxation:

• Corporation Tax: none or 9% depending on the activity and legal form
• Capital Gains Tax: none
• VAT: 5% (exempt for international B2B sales)
• No WHT on dividends

Main benefits of the jurisdiction:

• Exemption from corporate and capital gains tax for qualifying activities
• Very low VAT rate (if applicable)
• Very low fixed 9% rate of Corporate Income Tax on profits
• Stable and transparent legal system
• No Personal Income Tax
• Stable and well-developed banking system
• One of the most developed trading and service infrastructure in the world

Types of entities: Offshore company, Free Zone company, Designated Zone Company, mainland Limited Liability Company, Private Foundations.

Disclosure rules:

• Public Registry of Ultimate Beneficial Owners: none.
• Public Registry of Companies: none.

Time to incorporate: Starting from 3 days

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We provide services also in the following jurisdictions:

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