ByIn the year 2024, significant changes are brought to the existing laws. The government of Dubai has introduced changes in the taxation for the Emirate. Over the past few years, several alterations have been made to the tax system of the Emirate of Dubai. DUBAI is among the top Emirates in UAE due to several reasons. Similarly the Lawyers in Dubai e.g. Emirati Advocates and Legal Consultants in Dubai are among the top law attorneys due to several reasons.
Dubai law of 2024 has changed, bringing sound alteration to the tax of foreign banks operating in the region. The laws will become effective from the 8th of March 2024. The law supersedes the existing regulation of old laws of 1996.
This has revamped the taxation framework in Dubai for foreign banks. Nevertheless, the previous tax system had a 20% levied over the annual income of foreign banks in Dubai specifically.
With the enactment of the Corporate Tax Law, the foreign banks operating at the emirate level have to adhere to the Federal Corporate Income Tax of 2022. The 20% tax rate is maintained in the Emirate state of Dubai. Henceforth, the new regulations have been bought to mitigate the risk factor. It reduced the risk of doubling the tax by allowing for a tax credit. The tax credit is against the federal corporate tax paid by the foreign banks in Dubai.
Let us move to the key features of Dubai Law that are effective in 2024. The scope of the law is carefully explained. The Dubai law applies to all branches of foreign banks operating in the state. The banks must be licensed with the Central Bank of the UAE. The law applies to operating within Dubai. It excludes the banks that operate in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
The calculation of Taxable Income is comprehensively explained. The calculation must adhere to all the provisions and the clauses. It outlines the Corporate Tax Law as well. Still, there are some specific rules and regulations that are properly authorized by the Director General of the Department of Finance that are applied in special instances.
Some of the specific circumstances include joint revenues and expenses, headquarters and regional expenditures, administration expenses, and all the gains or losses unrealized from taxable income. The submission of Tax Returns and Payment of Tax is also specified by the Dubai law. Foreign banks are required to submit their tax returns over a specified period. The time frame is established by the Director-General.
Nonetheless, the submission paper must include some crucial information. It includes the following: audited financial statements, the amount that is tax payable, essential supporting documents, details regarding the federal corporate tax paid over the year and the list goes on. Voluntary Disclosure is also needed as per the law. Most recently, the law introduced a voluntary disclosure mechanism. This allows the foreign banks to correct their tax returns if there is a time frame specified for it.
Furthermore, it should be done within 30 days of becoming aware of any inaccuracies or irregularities. It also includes the under or overestimations that are seen in the tax liabilities. Tax Audit and Appeal Procedures are also explained in the law. There are detailed provisions included in the law that govern the tax audit process for the banks. It may include the rights of foreign banks alongside the procedures for lodging objections against tax assessments or penalties attached to it.
The Penalties are also explained in detail for the foreign banks. There are specific fines for foreign banks over the violation of laws. They are detailed in executive regulations. Additionally, the law clearly outlines penalties for the violation of administration. It also includes punitive measures for late payments, and more specifically for tax evasion.
Besides, the administrative violations carry a hefty fine. A maximum fine of AED 500,000 is imposed. This fine can be doubled in case of repeated offenses in the time span of 2 years. The late payment incurs a fine of 2% over the unpaid tax or a fine in 1 month. Moreover, this is accompanied by part of a month that is counted as a full month. The tax evasion may result in a fine. The fine is twice the amount of the evaded tax.
For foreign banks operating in Dubai or planning to establish a presence in the Emirate, the banks need a deeper understanding of Dubai law. Moreover, this must comply with this law which is crucial. Nevertheless, the forthcoming executive regulations will provide further clarity over the implementation of the law. In navigating the legal developments, lawyers and law firms in Dubai stand ready to assist the foreign banks in the state.
There are many award-winning Tax teams available in law firms in Dubai. The lawyers and attorneys working in the law firms have the skills, and expertise to assist the foreign banks. They have specialized teams that provide invaluable guidance to ensure the clients effectively adhere to the new tax changes. The lawyers in Dubai support bringing in the new changes in the legal landscape that make it easy to comply with the new regulations.
They offer sound knowledge and experience concerning the interpretation of laws and legislation. The law firms in Dubai help in understanding the laws and navigating through the complex regulatory framework.
Additionally, well-versed tax lawyers advocate for clients’ interests. They have a thorough knowledge of the tax law. Nonetheless, they also have experience in handling regulatory tax matters in Dubai.
Professional lawyers provide invaluable guidance to foreign banks that tend to seek the implementation of Dubai law. They assist in interpreting the new legal requirements and also enable them to comply with them.
Their better understanding helps the foreign banks operating in Dubai and also its implications over their revenues and liabilities.
The law firms operating in Dubai are capable of offering legal advice to clients over crucial matters including tax obligations, tax rights, and potential liabilities as per the new law. The lawyers ensure compliance with all the provisions that are included in Dubai law. This helps banks with timely and efficient submission of tax returns and making prompt tax payments. Law firms and lawyers play an imperative role in governing the foreign banks operating in Dubai. They will navigate them through it and assist in compliance with the new legal developments. Their guidance is valuable for the banks tending to adapt to the evolving changes in the regulatory landscape.
