Is your business subject to the ESR?

What is the ESR

The ESR regulations require certain companies in the UAE to maintain and demonstrate adequate economic presence in the UAE in respect of their business activities.

Relevant Activities Assessment

The Relevant Activities assessment is what determines whether your business is subject to the Economic Substance Regulations (ESR).

Businesses must use a ‘Substance over form’ approach to examine their activities beyond what stated in the business license to the actual activities carried out, according to the ESR guidance and regulations issued by the ministry of finance.

Below is a summary that would help you understand the Relevant Activities and to identify if your business performed such activities.

Distribution and Service Centre Business

A UAE would be considered in a distribution or service center business if it carries out any of the following businesses:

• Purchasing from a Foreign Connected Person (e.g., a parent or a subsidiary company) components parts, materials, or finished goods, and reselling such components
• Providing services to Foreign Connected Persons (e.g., a parent or a subsidiary company)

Headquarters Business

Headquarters is the business of providing any of the following services to one or more Foreign Connected Person (e.g., a parent or a subsidiary company) by the Licensee.

• The provision of senior management.
• The assumption or control of material risk for activities carried out by, or assets owned by, any Foreign Connected Person.
• The provision of substantive advice in connection with the assumption or control of risk referred to herein above.

Most of the businesses subject to ESR will fall under the above categories, Distribution & Service Center and Headquarters Business.

Example: a UAE company that provides services to, or buy goods from, its parent, subsidiary, or any other related company outside the UAE.

If your business is part or a foreign group, or has a related party or a sister company through any kind of control, direct or indirect ownership, it would probably be subject to the ESR.

Lease-finance Business

Lease-finance business is offering credit or financing to related or unrelated parties for a consideration. The normal trade-credit arrangement is not a Lease-Finance Business, as the credit is not offered with the intention of generating interest, but rather to facilitate the trading business

Holding Company Business

This is a business that:

• Has as its sole function the acquisition and holding of shares or equitable interests in other companies.
• Only earns dividends and capital gains from its equitable interests.

Intellectual Property Business

A business which holds, exploits, or receives income from the Intellectual Property Asset(s).

Investment Fund Management Business

Investment Fund Management Business shall have the meaning as set out in the law governing such activity in the State.

Banking Business

Banking Business is accepting deposits and using it to make loans or investments “commercial bank”

Insurance Business

Insurance Business shall have the meaning as set out in the law governing such activity in the State (insurance company)

Shipping Business

Shipping Business is any activity involving the operation of a Ship anywhere in the world other than within the territorial waters of the State.

Important considerations

An entity is not required to be actively engaged in any of the above business categories for it to be considered as carrying on a Relevant Activity. Any form of passive income from a Relevant Activity would bring the entity within scope of the ESR Regulations.

Assessing Relevant Activities is a continuous obligation for businesses in the UAE. If an entity carried out any Relevant Activity during any financial year it must comply to the Economic Substance Regulations.

An entity can undertake more than one Relevant Activity during the same financial period. This would require the entity to demonstrate economic substance in respect of each Relevant Activity

Let’s talk

For a detailed discussion on how to determine whether you conduct a Relevant Activity, or how to meet the ESR requirements, please feel free contact us for a free consultation. ([email protected])

 

Disclaimer
This information summary is provided for general awareness purposes only and is not intended to replace an accounting, tax, or professional advice. Please seek professional advice before making any decision. We assume no liability or responsibility for any errors, omissions, or inaccuracy in this content.

Disclaimer

Please note that the information contained on this website is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as accounting, tax, financial, or other professional advice. We encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals before making any decisions. We assume no liability or responsibility for any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in the content of this website.