Tax Free Dubai

One of the most surprising thing in Dubai was that personal incomes, including all forms of salary and capital gains wherever arising, are not subject to taxation in any of the Emirates of UAE. There is no enforced federal income tax legislation for general business. An income tax decree has been enacted by each Emirate, but in practice, the enforcement of these decrees is restricted to foreign banks and to oil companies.

It is very upsetting to remember that in the Philippines everybody is required to submit themselves to withholding tax, which eats out more than 20% of your income. And what do you get in return, lousy government service, dilapidated roads and several billions of debt by the government from other countries.

Where do the Government of UAE get their funds?

"Foreign banks are taxed at 20 percent of their taxable income in the Emirates of Abu-Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. The tax is restricted to the taxable income which is earned or deemed to be earned in that particular Emirate. Oil Companies (which include any chargeable person that deals in oil or right to oil both off-shore and on-shore) pay a flat rate of 55 percent on their taxable income in Dubai and 50 percent in the other Emirates. In addition, they pay royalties on production.

Under the terms of an agreement on customs tariffs with countries of the GCC, all Emirates are bound to levy a minimum customs duty of 10 percent on luxury goods and 4 percent on the C.I.F. value of all other goods imported, excluding certain items such as alcohol and cigarettes. Recently, the federal government has approved a tobacco tax rate of 50 percent.

In practice, however, exemptions are made for a wide range of goods. In cases where customs duties are charged, it is generally restricted to 1 percent.

Municipal taxes are levied in most Emirates on annual rental paid at 5 percent for residential premises and 10 percent for commercial premises.

Other local taxes include a 5 percent tax on hotel services and entertainment."

Source: http://www.government.ae/gov/en/biz/business/taxes.jsp