The UAE’s Ministry of Finance has clarified that individuals conducting business activities will be subject to corporate tax only if their combined turnover exceeds AED 1 million in a calendar year.

It added that personal income from employment, investments or real estate (without licensing requirements) will not be taxed.

For example, if a UAE resident operates an online business and the combined annual turnover from this business exceeds AED 1 million, under the new decision, the income from the online business would be subject to corporate tax.

The Ministry of Finance has announced the issuance of the UAE Cabinet Decision on Treatment of Natural Persons Undertaking a Business or Business Activity for Corporate Tax Law purposes.#CorporateTax #UAECT #mofuae pic.twitter.com/7dyCCkCVbS

— وزارة المالية | الإمارات (@MOFUAE) May 17, 2023

However, if the resident also earns income from a rental property and personal investments, these sources of income would not be subject to tax as they fall under the out-of-scope categories.

The UAE Cabinet Decision No. (49) of 2023 spells out the treatment of resident and non-resident individuals undertaking a business or business activity, for Corporate Tax Law purposes.

“The new Cabinet Decision demonstrates the UAE’s commitment to maintaining a clear and competitive tax framework for both local and foreign individual investors,” said Younis Haji Al Khouri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance.

“By simplifying the Corporate Tax system, the UAE continues to foster an attractive business environment that supports the growth of small businesses, startups, and the overall economy,”

The Jumbo Group has coincided the spirit of giving this Ramadan while remembering its founder Manohar Chhabria with a donation of Dh1 million to Dubai Cares for children’s education on Thursday.

Vikas Chadha, chief executive officer of Jumbo Group, handed over the one-million cheque to Tariq Al Gurg, his counterpart and the vice-chairman at Dubai Cares.

The day marked the 21st death anniversary of Chhabria who started Jumbo in 1973 as a retail agency and 50 years on, it has evolved into a group companies and is the UAE’s leading retailer for latest technology products.

In true Indian tradition of doing charity as a show of thanksgiving to the universe on behalf of Mr Chhabria, Jumbo Group’s contribution towards the cause of children’s education now amounts to a total of Dh6 million to date.

“The donation is part of Jumbo’s enduring support towards advancing the vision of the UAE’s wise leadership to empower children and youth through access to quality education,” Chadha said on behalf of Jumbo Group.

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Dubai Cares is an organisation that works to improve children’s access to quality primary education in the UAE as well as developing countries. The vision that the organisation wants to transmit is that education goes beyond training. It is a tool to break the cycle of poverty.

Apart from cash, organizations as well as individuals can also donate new or used devices such as desktop computers, laptops and tablets by filling out a donation form on www.dubaicares.ae.

Last year, Jumbo Group supported the 1 Billion Meals campaign, an initiative by the Dubai government, with a similar amount. “Our relationship with the UAE and its people was established over 45 years ago and we are proud to be able to contribute to such important initiatives,” Vidya Chhabria, chairperson of Jumbo Group, had said then.

“Ramadan is a time for self-reflection and charity and as a company Jumbo Group is in full support of the efforts made by the government here to help those in need.”

Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, has issued laws to establish apparently the world’s first free zone dedicated to digital and virtual assets companies.

Established under Law No. 2 of 2023, the Ras Al Khaimah Digital Assets Oasis will be an independent governmental authority. The new law grants RAK Digital Assets Oasis financial, administrative, and legislative independence, allowing it to function as a purpose-built free zone to enable innovation in the virtual assets sector.

The setting up of DAO is in furtherance to Law No 1 of 2023, which outlines the establishment of the Department of the Future. The new department will play a pivotal role in promoting innovation and driving the Emirate’s economic development in the digital age, positioning Ras Al Khaimah as a leader in innovation and entrepreneurship in the digital and virtual assets sector.

Sheikh Saud said: “The Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah has been playing a leading role in national efforts to strengthen the UAE’s diversified, sustainable economy. With the nation’s focus on digitalisation and encouraging enterprises of the future, RAK Digital Assets Oasis will serve as the gateway for global digital and virtual assets companies to establish their operations and grow their business. Our commitment is to provide an inspiring, innovation-centric environment that helps realize bright ideas that have transformational impact on the world.

“The new free zone will further cement Ras Al Khaimah’s reputation as a destination of choice for next-generation business ventures and the economy of the future.”

To lead the initiative, Sheikh Mohammed Al Qasimi has been appointed chairman and Dr Sameer Al Ansari as the CEO. Sheikh Mohammed is the Chairman of RAK International Corporate Centre (RAK ICC) and a Board Member and Managing Director of RAKEZ, while Dr Al Ansari is the CEO of RAK ICC and a member of the Board of Directors of Marjan, Ras Al Khaimah’s flagship master developer.

Sheikh Mohammed Al Qasimi

The DAO will open for applications in the second quarter of 2023, becoming the only free zone in the world exclusively for digital and virtual asset companies that are innovating in new and emerging sectors, such as the metaverse, blockchain, utility tokens, virtual asset wallets, NFTs, DAOs, DApp, and other Web3-related businesses.

Sheikh Saud added: “Ras Al Khaimah’s unique combination of accessibility, agility, and liveability will foster responsible innovation and position the UAE at the forefront in driving the most successful disruptive tech transformations of the coming decades.

“We are focused on promoting entrepreneurship, including the digital and virtual assets sector, which thrives on innovation and speed. The new free zone will encourage young talent to implement their powerful ideas for the digital world, as well as drive global digital players to expand their footprint through our free zone, which will add incremental value to the economy by creating new jobs and promoting inward investment. RAK Digital Assets Oasis will be a key economic growth engine for Ras Al Khaimah and the wider region.”

For more information, please visit www.rakdao.com or follow them on Twitter at @RAK_DAO