INTRODUCTION

We are pleased to present the latest edition of Tax Street - our newsletter that covers all the key developments and updates in the realm of taxation in India and across the globe for the month of July 2021.

  • The 'Focus Point' covers an overview of the Economic Substance Regulations in the UAE.
  • Under the 'From the Judiciary' section, we provide in brief, the key rulings on important cases, and our take on the same.
  • Our 'Tax Talk' provides key updates on the important tax-related news from India and across the globe.
  • Under 'Compliance Calendar', we list down the important due dates with regard to direct tax, transfer pricing and indirect tax in the month.

We hope you find our newsletter useful and we look forward to your feedback.

FOCUS POINT

Economic Substance Regulations (ESR) - Strategic analysis for businesses in UAE

The UAE introduced ESR in 2019 to restrict harmful tax practices, largely in line with Action Plan 5 of the BEPS Project, and ensure that entities doing business in UAE, pursuant to obtaining trade license from the Authority (Licensee), meet the Economic Substance Test.

2019 was the first year of compliance, wherein businesses in UAE experienced multiple challenges to meet the compliance test. Given the penal consequences attached to noncompliance, it was important for the businesses to make the correct disclosures backed by relevant documentation in-house.

In relation to the Indian headquartered companies with a presence in the UAE, the relevant compliance due date would be as follows:

ParticularsDue Date
e-filing of ESR notification for the financial year ended on 31 March 202130 September 2021
e-filing of ESR Annual report for the financial year ended on 31 March 202131 March 2022


It is assumed that the accounting year followed by the UAE company is April to March.

Applicability

ESR applies to all private/public shareholding companies, joint venture companies, partnership firms, etc. In other words, the Regulation does not cover individuals, sole proprietorship, trust, or a foundation under its ambit. There are certain exemptions to Licensees from ESR regulations which inter-alia includes Investment Funds, a company that is a tax resident outside the UAE, etc. Furthermore, it is clarified that the ESR regulations would be applicable to the UAE branch of a company that is located outside UAE unless the income of such branch is taxable outside UAE.

Key parameters for Economic Substance Test

Licensee must satisfy the following criteria to meet the Economic Substance Test:

Core Income Generating Activities (CIGA)

  • Need to justify that Licensee conducts CIGA
  • CIGA need to be conducted in UAE
  • Regulations provide an inclusive list of CIGAs - Need to identify what additional could be considered

Directed and Managed

  • Need to hold a board meeting in UAE
  • Frequency/number of such meetings would depend having regard to decisions to be taken
  • Quorum of physically present
  • Minutes to be maintained and signed by directors
  • Directors should have the necessary knowledge/expertise

Employee/Assets/Expense

Need to demonstrate 'Adequacy' Test for:

  • Employees - No. of qualified full-time employees physically present in UAE
  • Assets - Adequate physical assets in UAE
  • Expense - Adequate operating expenses incurred in UAE.

Relevant businesses activities

The relevant activities subject to economic test are listed as under:

  • Banking business
  • Investment fund management business
  • Headquarters business
  • Holding company business
  • Distribution and service center business
  • Insurance business
  • Lease-Finance business
  • Shipping business
  • Intellectual property business

Compliance requirement

Notification to be submitted

Licensee shall annually notify the Authority which inter-alia includes the following:

  • Whether or not it is carrying on Relevant Activity;
  • If yes for above, gross income for Relevant Activity is subject to tax outside UAE;
  • Financial year followed by Licensee;
  • Details of Branch.

Report to be submitted

If Licensee is carrying out Relevant Activity, it is required to submit a detailed report annually within 12 months from the end of the financial year, containing various operations related information, including but not limited to employee details - experience, type of contract, qualifications, duration of employment, etc. and information on intangible related details of the Licensee.

Penalty for non-compliance

The Resolution has prescribed the following offenses and corresponding penalties as under:

OffensesQuantum of penalty
Failure to meet Economic Substance Test/submit ESR annual return (First year) AED 50,000
Failure to meet Economic Substance Test (Subsequent Year) AED 400,000
Failure to submit the Notification and any other relevant information/documentation AED 20,000


Additionally, the penalty included sharing information with the Foreign Competent Authority and suspension/cancellation of license in certain cases. However, before levying a penalty, the Authority must issue a notice (i.e., opportunity of being heard) to Licensee. Furthermore, the Authority may neither determine the Economic Substance Test of Licensee nor levy a penalty post six years from the end of the financial year (unless there is deliberate misrepresentation/ fraudulent action by Licensee or any other person).

Governance mechanism

The UAE Cabinet of Ministers appointed various authorities that are empowered to oversee the implementation, monitoring, and enforcement of the ESR Regulations in respect of each Relevant Activity. Basis thereon, certain authorities are appointed in the capacity of 'Regulatory Authorities,' whose role inter-alia includes collection/ verification of documents (i.e., ESR notifications / Economic Substance Reports). The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has been appointed as the National Assessing Authority (NAA) whose role includes assessing whether the Licensee has met the Economic Substance Test, imposing a penalty, or hearing appeals.

Way Forward

  • Recently, UAE has introduced Country-by-Country- Reporting (CbCR) Regulations in line with its commitment to implement Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) standard for Action Plan 13. Now, with the introduction of ESR, UAE has most certainly sent a positive signal to the sovereigns of its trade partners in other jurisdictions.
  • Based on the filings of year 1, the concerned authorities have started issuing notices in the situation of noncompliance with the ESR Regulations.
  • Despite the regulations providing useful guidelines, the Licensees will require a lot of judgment in a professional capacity to determine if the activity meets the substance test. It is recommended that multinationals be proactive and revisit their existing operational activities to mitigate/ avoid the potential risk of non-compliance with the above regulations. With this being the subsequent year of Regulations, it would be relevant to check and maintain consistency with respect to the positions adopted by the Licensee in the previous year.

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The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

Nexdigm Private Limited
Nexdigm Private Limited
Urmi Axis, 7th Floor
Famous Studio Lane
Dr. E. Moses Road, Mahalaxmi
Mumbai
400 011
INDIA
Tel: 226730 9000
Fax: 226730 9000
E-mail: pooja.tolani@nexdigm.com
URL: www.skpgroup.com

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