The Ministry of Finance has held the first session of the Corporate Tax Public Awareness Programme in Abu Dhabi with leading officials in attendance, along with representatives of the Ministry of Finance, the Federal Tax Authority (FTA), the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and more than 350 tax experts, business sector representatives, and company owners.

The session follows the issuing last month of the Federal Decree-Law on Taxation of Corporations and Businesses (the “Corporate Tax Law”), whereby all UAE-based businesses will become subject to Corporate Tax from the beginning of their first financial year that starts on or after 1 June 2023. The Tax has been set at 9% for taxable profits exceeding AED375,000 – a rate that will ensure that the UAE’s Corporate Tax system is among the most competitive in the world, which, in turn, will serve to strengthen the country’s position as a global financial and business centre.

The Ministry of Finance had launched the Corporate Tax Public Awareness Programme last month out of commitment to supporting various business sectors and introducing their teams of specialists – including corporate finance managers, chief finance officers, legal advisors and experts, tax auditors and agents, accountants, and business owners – to the general framework of the law and how to comply with it.

Organised with the support of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the session was attended by His Excellency Younis Haji Al Khoori, Undersecretary of Ministry of Finance, and His Excellency Khalid Ali Al Bustani, Federal Tax Authority  Director General.

In his address, H.E. Al Khoori said the UAE Corporate Tax law embodies the UAE government’s directives and future vision to drive economic diversification in the country, diversify sources of government income, serve the community, and shape a sustainable future, all the while strengthening the UAE’s position and its economic and financial competitiveness globally.

H.E. noted that the Ministry has drafted the Corporate Tax Law in accordance with international best practices to support the UAE’s strategic goals, promote tax transparency, and prevent harmful tax practices, given the UAE’s role as an active member of the OECD’s Inclusive Framework on Domestic Tax Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS).

“In collaboration with our key partners, our team at the Ministry of Finance has strived to launch a public awareness programme on Corporate Tax, which includes organising a series of in-person awareness sessions across the country, in addition to virtual sessions,” H.E. Al Khoori explained. “The objective is to ensure access for and communication with the largest possible number of stakeholders, and bring them together to explore the basic features and strategic components of the UAE’s tax system, along with its impact on business and the national economy.”

“The programme was designed to ensure companies and businesses are prepared to implement and comply with Corporate Tax regulations. With that in mind, we brought in a group of experts and specialists from the Ministry of Finance and the Federal Tax Authority to clarify all key points, details, and procedures related to the Corporate Tax system, and answer participants’ questions,” H.E. added.

The Ministry of Finance Undersecretary went on to thank the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry for their collaboration and role in organising the first session of the Corporate Tax Public Awareness Programme, which reflects the Chamber’s commitment to supporting various business sectors to grow and play a bigger part in promoting the UAE as a global economic hub and a destination of choice for business and investment.

For his part, Federal Tax Authority  Director General H.E. Khalid Ali Al Bustani said: “The Corporate Tax system in the UAE marks an important step towards employing tax revenues to drive the UAE’s comprehensive development. The Federal Tax Authority will be playing a pivotal role in implementing the new system, taking on the responsibility for managing, collecting, and enforcing the law and all provisions related to Corporate Tax, as with all other tax systems in the UAE.”

“Today’s session is of particular importance given its role in raising awareness about the Corporate Tax system and how to comply with it,” H.E. Al Bustani added. “It offers a platform to listen to attendees’ feedback and opinions, taking them into account while implementing the tax system. With that in mind, we are participating today with our tax experts, accompanied by specialists from the Ministry of Finance, who are here to provide an overview of Corporate Tax. And this applies not only to this session, but also all upcoming sessions across the country.”

Meanwhile, H.E. Abdullah Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: “The UAE corporate tax law will help strengthen the country’s position as a global centre for business and investment, empowering the Emirates to achieve its strategic goals. The law reflects the UAE’s commitment to meeting the highest standards of transparency, which serves as an incentive to encourage more investments in various key economic sectors, and paves the way for companies to benefit from the legislation, infrastructure, and economic advantages the country has to offer.”

“As the voice of the private sector and the entity entrusted with safeguarding its interests in the emirate, the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry is dedicated to educating its members from private companies to comply with the requirements of the corporate tax system,” H.E. Al Mazrouei added, noting that the wide participation in the corporate tax public awareness sessions reflects the business community’s growing awareness and commitment to understanding the economic laws and legislation that regulate doing business in the UAE.

The session was presented by experts from the Ministry of Finance including, Shabana Begum, Executive Director of Tax Policy Sector at the; Fatima Al Sheikh, Director of Tax Policies and Legislations, and Rasha Hajj Hussein, Tax Policies and Legislations Expert. An overview presentation shed light on the Corporate Tax Law, introducing participants to various aspects of the new regime, including scope, rate, key definitions, exempt persons, free zones, administration, and timelines.

Furthermore, a panel discussion offered attendees more information on key topics such as calculating taxable income, tax exemption, tax groups, transfer pricing, and provided an opportunity to ask questions directly to tax experts, on many topics related to the application of Corporate Tax.

The session is the first in a series of in-person workshops, set to be held in all seven emirates, along with virtual session, held via the digital awareness platform. The Corporate Tax Public Awareness Programme has been designed to ensure the dissemination of general and basic awareness about the UAE Corporate Tax Law within the business sector.

While attendance at the sessions is open to all, the primary target audience includes business leaders from various sectors, corporate finance managers, chief finance officers, legal advisors and experts, tax auditors and agents, accountants, and business owners.

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