UAE Clarifies Corporate Tax Group Rules with Ministerial Decision No. 301 of 2024

The UAE Ministry of Finance has issued Ministerial Decision No. 301 of 2024, providing updated and clarified guidelines for businesses operating as tax groups under the UAE Corporate Tax Law. Effective for tax periods commencing on or after 1 January 2025, this new decision builds upon and revises the previous Ministerial Decision No. 125 of 2023.

For businesses already operating as or considering forming tax groups, this development offers critical insights into compliance and strategic tax planning.

Key Highlights from the Decision

1. Applicability – Applies to tax periods starting on or after 1 January 2025. Supersedes Ministerial Decision No. 125 of 2023 for those periods. The earlier decision remains in force for tax periods that commenced before 1 January 2025.
   
2. Updated Definitions – A clear and comprehensive definition of “Financial Statements” has been introduced. This now explicitly includes:

• Income Statement
• Statement of Comprehensive Income
• Balance Sheet
• Statement of Changes in Equity
• Cash Flow Statement
  

3. Revised Definition of “Resident Person” – References to documentation requirements for: Foreign juridical persons, UAE entities with effective management abroad.
   
4. Formation and Joining of Tax Groups – Applications to form or join a tax group must be submitted before the end of the relevant tax period.
   
5. Utilization of Pre-Grouping Tax Losses – Businesses must fully utilize pre-grouping tax losses before carrying forward any remaining balances. This ensures maximum benefit from previously accumulated losses.
   
6. Transfer Pricing and Arm’s Length Principle – Enhanced documentation requirements when unused tax losses exist within the group. The need to calculate taxable income for new group members under such conditions is emphasized. The earlier foreign tax credit provision has been removed.
   
7. Forfeiture of Net Interest Expenditure (NIE) – Stricter rules now apply, a tax group risks losing carried-forward NIE if it:

• Fails to calculate taxable income for a group member.
• Utilizes less pre-grouping NIE than what was allowable under Article 30.
• Both conditions must occur together for the forfeiture to apply.
  

Key Takeaways

Ministerial Decision No. 301 of 2024 provides greater clarity and introduces refinements to how tax groups operate under the UAE Corporate Tax framework. Key areas of focus include:

• The strategic use of pre-grouping tax losses.
• Avoiding the forfeiture of Net Interest Expenditure.
• Ensuring timely applications for forming or joining tax groups.
• Maintaining robust documentation for transfer pricing compliance.
  

What’s the Next Move?

If your business is part of a tax group or planning to form one, here are the immediate steps to consider:

• Review your current tax group structure in light of the new decisions.
• Evaluate pre-grouping losses and ensure their optimal use.
• Ensure NIE calculations are accurate and in compliance.
• Submit applications to join or form a tax group before the period ends.
• Consult with a tax advisor to align your strategy with the latest regulations.
  

Staying ahead of regulatory updates like this is essential for optimizing tax efficiency and maintaining compliance. Consider working with professionals well-versed in UAE tax law for more tailored advice.

How Arnifi Can help?

For businesses seeking assistance in navigating these changes or ensuring compliance with the new rules, Arnifi is here to help. Our expert team is well-versed in the UAE Corporate Tax Law and ready to support you in understanding the implications of this decision and optimizing your tax strategy.

Contact Arnifi today to explore how we can assist in managing your tax group’s obligations and maximizing the benefits under the updated provisions.

For tailored guidance or support with your tax group setup and compliance, get in touch with Arnifi—your trusted partner for doing business right in the UAE.