International Tax
Cross-border tax advice on treaties, permanent establishment, foreign tax credits and residency for UAE businesses operating abroad.
When your business earns income abroad, has foreign owners or sends staff overseas, more than one country may claim the right to tax it. The UAE’s wide treaty network can prevent that, but only if your structure and paperwork support the claim. We help you understand where you are taxable and how to avoid paying twice.
Avoid double taxation
Treaty relief and foreign tax credits are claimed wherever available.
Manage foreign exposure
Know before you expand whether your activities create a taxable presence abroad.
Lower withholding
Reduced treaty rates on dividends, interest and royalties are supported with the right documents.
Joined-up advice
UAE Corporate Tax and foreign obligations are considered together, not in isolation.
In-depth guide
01Using the UAE treaty network
Double tax agreements decide which country can tax each type of income and often reduce foreign withholding tax on dividends, interest and royalties. To benefit, a UAE company usually needs to show it is resident in the UAE and is the genuine owner of the income.
We review the relevant treaty, confirm your eligibility and help you gather the residency certificate and declarations the foreign payer will ask for.
02Permanent establishment risk
Sending employees to work on a client site abroad, appointing a local sales agent or keeping a warehouse in another country can create a permanent establishment. The foreign country may then tax the profits linked to that presence.
We assess planned activities before they start, recommend ways to limit exposure, and explain how any foreign profits interact with your UAE Corporate Tax return.
03Bringing it into your UAE return
Foreign income must be reported correctly in your UAE return. Depending on the facts, it may be exempt under the participation exemption or the foreign permanent establishment election, or taxable with credit for foreign tax paid.
We calculate the right treatment and keep the evidence, such as foreign tax receipts and treaty claims, together with your return file.
- 1
Understand the flows
We map where income arises, where people work and where owners sit.
- 2
Apply the rules
We review UAE law and the relevant treaties for each flow.
- 3
Advise
We set out your tax position, risks and practical options in writing.
- 4
Implement
We obtain certificates, prepare claims and reflect the results in your return.
The UAE has signed more than 140 comprehensive double tax agreements, one of the largest networks in the world. Each treaty is different, so the specific one matters.
International Tax
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