Economic Substance Regulations in UAE

The UAE was added to the European Union list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions by the European Commission and this was the reason behind the issuance of the economic substance regulations.

Economic substance registration (ESR) is of the many initiatives taken by the UAE with regards to the requirements of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The Registrar of Companies (“Registrar”) is the Regulatory Authority designated in the DIFC for the UAE Economic Substance Regulations (“ESR”). This guideline is generally issued in countries that do not have corporate taxes for complying with international initiatives in response to harmful tax practices. The main Aim of ESR is to ensure UAE is conducting activities that report actual profits in proportion to the economic activity. The Regulations and guidance apply in all UAE jurisdictions, including financial free zones such as the DIFC.

As per the ESR norms all DIFC firms that conduct one or more ‘relevant activities are required to file an Economic Substance Notification or Economic Substance Report electronically on the Ministry of Finance portal, even if they have submitted the same in the DIFC portal. The main aim of ESR is that it helps in complying with the requirements of entities incorporated in the UAE to show that the companies are conducting economic activities in the UAE.

Risians Accounting & Auditing is here to make your work easy! We are one of the best auditing and accounting firms in Dubai. We are trained to take care of all your financial needs and provide you with specified accounting and auditing services. We help companies to manage their ESR filing and help submit the ESR reports to the authorities on time.

Economic substance regulations UAE will be applicable to onshore and free zone companies that engage in any of the below mentioned “Relevant Activities”;

1. Banking Businesses as licensed in the State, including Banking Businesses licensed in a Free Zone or a Financial Free Zone.
2. Insurance Businesses as licensed in the State, including Insurance Businesses licensed in a Free Zone or a Financial Free Zone.
3. Investment Fund Management Businesses as licensed in the State, including Investment Fund Management Businesses licensed in a Free Zone or a Financial Free Zone.
4. Lease-Finance Businesses as licensed in the State, including Lease-Finance Businesses licensed in a Free Zone or a Financial Free Zone.
5. Headquarters Businesses as licensed in the State, including Headquarters Businesses licensed in a Free Zone or a Financial Free Zone.
6. Shipping Businesses as licensed in the State, including Shipping Businesses licensed in a Free Zone or a Financial Free Zone.
7. Holding Company Businesses as licensed in the State, including Holding Businesses licensed in a Free Zone or a Financial Free Zone.
8. Intellectual Property Businesses as licensed in the State, including Intellectual Property Businesses licensed in a Free Zone or a Financial Free Zone.
9. Distribution and Service Centers Businesses as licensed in the State, including Distribution and Service Centre’s Businesses licensed in a Free Zone or a Free Zone.

How We’re Going to Help You?

Consulting on Economic Substance Regulation (ESR).

Identify the qualifying entities for Economic Substance Regulation(ESR) compliance.

Identify the qualifying business segments for Economic Substance Regulation(ESR) compliance.

Report and advise on overall Economic Substance Regulation(ESR) readiness by the Entity.

Ongoing Economic Substance Regulation(ESR) compliance.

Secretarial services in connection with Economic Substance Regulation(ESR) record maintenance.

Economic Substance Regulation(ESR) filing with the authorities in the proper /prescribed format.

Want more details on how this works? Feel free to contact us.

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Our Services

We have an in-depth knowledge of the ESR legislation in the UAE and can assist with the substance requirements in the various jurisdictions.

This Includes

1. Initial Assessment & Classification
2. Substance Services & Solutions
3. ESR Annual Reporting
4. Documentation
5. Effective Dates and Deadlines

As a result, your organization stays compliant with Economic Substance Requirements. For more information, questions or proposal requests.

What We Do?

1. Review group structure to underpin the applicability of economic substance regulations
2. Perform a gap assessment to identify the current level of compliance requirements that include review of – contracts, details of assets, expenditure, and employees living in UAE etc.
3. Determine remedial options by restructuring the business / operations / holdings.
4. Design policies that comply with the economic substance tests.
5. Preparation and submission of annual notification requirements for the entities allowed to carry out a ‘Relevant Activity’ within the UAE.
6. Preparation and submission of economic substance reports for entities carrying out Relevant Activities in the UAE and earning income therefrom.
7. Training sessions to educate personnel on the requirements.

Why Choose Us?

We Offer the Following Services to Comply with ESR:

1. We conduct a systematic study on the business activities and provide guidance in complying with ESR
2. Compliance tests and economic substances tests are done to check the adherence with the regulations
3. Provide supervision on the contractual agreements whether ESR laws are included or not
4. Submit ESR reports to the regulatory authority on time
5. Our other services are Business Services, Accounting & Bookkeeping Services, Auditing Services, Tax & VAT Filing Services and Due diligence Services to the business tycoons in Dubai

Need to know more about Economic Substance Regulations? Contact Us! Our experts will give you a one-hour free consultation on your queries.