Tax Structuring and Consulting in the UAE and GCC

  • Strategic Consulting for Business Expansion into the MENA Market.
  • VAT rules and implications in the UAE and GCC.
  • Comparative analysis of tax advantages and disadvantages of locating a business in Gulf countries, including free zones.
  • Excise duties and customs duties in the UAE and GCC.
  • Preparing for the introduction of Corporate tax in the UAE.
  • Tax advice on permanent establishment risks and tax residence in the GCC.
  • Corporate tax implications, particularly the eligibility for the 0% tax rate.
  • Support in obtaining private clarifications from the UAE Federal Tax Authority.
  • Complying with requirements for Qualifying Free Zone Persons.
  • Tax implications for businesses in the Gulf countries (Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait).
  • Application of Pillar 2 rules for multinational enterprises with a presence in the UAE.
  • Application of international tax treaties concluded by the UAE.

Tax structuring for IP-based businesses in UAE free zones

Tax structuring for a new shipping business in the UAE

Structuring advertising services for VAT efficiency in the UAE

Structuring a manufacturing and trading business for a company entering the UAE market

Transfer Pricing Services in the UAE

  • Analysis of intercompany transactions to ensure compliance with UAE Transfer Pricing regulations and international standards.
  • Benchmarking analysis to determine arm’s length pricing for intercompany transactions.
  • Development and implementation of Transfer Pricing policies tailored to your business model.
  • Support in preparing and filing Transfer Pricing disclosure forms with UAE tax authorities.
  • Preparation of Transfer Pricing documentation, including Master File, Local File, and other required reports.
  • Advisory on Transfer Pricing implications for businesses operating in Free Zones and mainland UAE.

Transfer pricing support for connected persons compliance

Transfer pricing compliance support for free zone businesses

Transfer pricing structuring and compliance for a quantitative trading firm

Private Wealth Tax Consulting in the UAE

  • Structuring personal and family ownership of assets in the UAE (real estate, shares, bank accounts).
  • Advising on the use of UAE holding companies, family offices, and foundations for asset protection and succession planning.
  • Tax residency planning and advisory (including obtaining UAE tax residency certificates).
  • Tax implications for investment income (dividends, interest, capital gains) under UAE law.
  • Application of UAE double tax treaties to private investments and income.

Structuring family asset ownership through UAE holding companies and foundations

Customs and VAT advisory for high-value private assets in the UAE

Tax Compliance Support

  • VAT and Corporate Tax registration.
  • Assistance in obtaining UAE Tax Residency Certificates for individuals and companies.
  • Filing VAT returns and Corporate Tax returns.
  • Advising and supporting business VAT refund applications.
  • Assistance in preparing Corporate Tax return schedules (e.g., QFZP, connected persons, related-party transactions).
  • Compliance with Economic Substance Regulations (ESR).
  • Preparing voluntary corrections and disclosures to mitigate penalties.
  • Preparing customized tax compliance calendars to manage tax deadlines and reporting obligations.

VAT refund support and FTA communication management

Tax compliance calendar preparation and tax registration for a UAE business

ESR compliance support for a UAE holding company

Tax Dispute Prevention and Resolution

  • Preparing and submitting clarification requests to the UAE Federal Tax Authority (FTA).
  • Representation before tax dispute resolution committees, including the FTA Review Committee.
  • Assisting with Mutual Agreement Procedure (MAP) and Advance Pricing Arrangement (APA) submissions under international tax treaties.
  • Managing communications and negotiations with the UAE Federal Tax Authority (FTA).
  • Conducting tax audits, identifying tax risks, and providing recommendations for risk mitigation.
  • Supporting clients during tax audits, including preparing responses to FTA queries and attending meetings.
  • Preparing defense files to substantiate the taxpayer’s position and prevent tax risks.
  • Representation in tax litigation before UAE courts, in collaboration with licensed local advocates.
  • Drafting and submitting requests for tax assessment review and reconsideration to the FTA.
  • Providing strategic advisory on settlement options and risk mitigation during tax disputes.
  • Drafting and submitting administrative penalty waiver requests and installment plan requests.

QFZP compliance audit and preparation of defense documentation.

Obtaining a private clarification on 0% Corporate Tax eligibility for a UAE free zone investment company.

Tax Training for Businesses in the UAE

  • Tailored training sessions on corporate taxation in the UAE and GCC.
  • Internal training programs to strengthen in-house tax compliance capabilities.
  • Practical workshops on UAE VAT, Corporate Tax, and Transfer Pricing compliance.

E-Commerce, Retail, Restaurants & Hospitality

  • Preparation and implementation of corporate structures.
  • Regulation of relations between company owners and investors, including corporate agreements, tailoring constitutional documents, option agreements, and related arrangements.
  • Analysis of applicable regulations and development of policies, procedures, and contracts governing personal data processing, service provision, sales, and customer relations, including relations with individual consumers.
  • Structuring international operations, including procurement, delivery, returns, and related processes.
  • Obtaining the necessary licenses and permits.
  • Disputes with partners and customers.
  • IP asset management

Real Estate & Development

  • Real estate, construction, and development projects.
  • Structuring corporate arrangements and obtaining the necessary licenses and permits.
  • Real estate construction and renovation projects.
  • Sale, purchase, and lease of real estate.

Tech

  • Structuring projects in the technology and AI sectors.
  • Obtaining permits and licenses from regulators, including VARA, DIFC, and ADGM.
  • IP box regimes.
  • E-commerce platforms.

Employment Law

  • Drafting employment contracts, policies, and procedures.
  • Support on employment matters, including permits, work visas, and related issues.
  • Representation of clients’ interests in pre-trial employment disputes.

Corporate Law, M&A

  • Incorporation of companies in the UAE mainland and free zones, including DIFC and ADGM.
  • UAE and cross-border M&A.
  • Venture financing and private equity.
  • Corporate restructuring and redomiciliation.
  • Company liquidation.

Commercial and Trade Law

  • Support of commercial and trading activities.
  • Licenses and permits.
  • Supply arrangements.
  • Distribution agreements.
  • Other types of commercial and trade transactions.

Sanctions & Trade Controls

  • Development and implementation of compliance policies and procedures, including AML, sanctions, trade controls, codes of conduct, insider trading, and speak-up policies.
  • Transaction analysis and support.
  • Asset unfreezing.
  • Challenging restrictions and obtaining licenses.
  • Reputation management, including profile analysis in international compliance databases, interaction with database operators and banks, and development and implementation of media presence strategies, including removal of negative information or its suppression in search results, as well as creation and distribution of positive content.