The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has released a guide providing general guidance on the application of the Corporate Tax Law to Free Zones and Free Zone Persons.
The guide offers the views and interpretations of the FTA regarding the Free Zone rules, including the conditions required to be considered a Qualifying Free Zone Person and the definitions of Qualifying Activities and Excluded Activities.
During the first in a series of webinars on this topic, our experts summarized the key elements of this comprehensive 135-page guide.
Speakers
Basel Arafe
Basel is a UAE Corporate Tax Partner with a commitment to assisting entities in navigating the challenges and complexities arising from the introduction of corporate taxation in the region and the constantly evolving tax landscape. He has over 15 years of experience in primarily serving Canadian-based multinational corporations with Canadian and US tax related matters. Previously, he was a Partner in the US Tax practice at the Deloitte Montreal office, with a focus on assisting clients with US domestic corporate tax issues, relating to both federal and state level compliance and planning to ensure integration with an overall global tax-effective strategy. His knowledge and expertise also expand to income tax accounting, FATCA related matters, income tax withholding, credits and incentives, US tax reform, and taxation of pass-through entities. While he has advised clients across a variety of industries and sectors, he has extensive experience with companies in the technology, media, and telecommunication sector. Basel has completed the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA) In-Depth Canadian Tax Course and is an admitted member of CPA Canada (i.e., Chartered Professionals Accountants of Canada) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).
Rabia Gandapur
Rabia is a Partner in the Transfer Pricing team covering the Middle East. She has been based in the region for the last 3 years, having moved here after 10 years in the UK with a Big 4 firm. Rabia is a UK Chartered Tax Advisor and financial economist. Rabia has extensive experience advising multinationals on complex TP planning, design and documentation projects as well as supporting clients on their operational, governance and implementation strategies. She has supported various multinationals, SWFs and family groups in respect of the transfer pricing and Country-by-Country Reporting requirements. Rabia has advised on multiple Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs) and Mutual Agreement Procedures (MAP) in the UK and supports clients in the Middle East with TP audits and controversy.
