Expatriate? Avoid double taxation thanks to the France-United Arab Emirates tax treaty

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Expatrié, évitez la double imposition grâce à la convention fiscale France Emirats Arabes Unis
The France-United Arab Emirates tax treaty plays a crucial role for French investors and expatriates seeking to navigate the two tax systems effectively. This bilateral agreement aims to harmonize tax rules and avoid double taxation, thereby facilitating financial transactions and cross-border investments. While taxation can seem complex, especially for French nationals living and working in the Emirates, understanding this France-Emirates tax treaty is essential for optimizing tax benefits and avoiding common pitfalls. Thanks to this treaty, expatriates and companies can benefit from favorable provisions, thereby simplifying their international tax management. For any questions or clarification, our agency is ready to provide the necessary support to guide you through this tax landscape, which is often difficult to understand.

What is a tax treaty?

A tax treaty is an agreement concluded between two or more countries to resolve tax-related issues. The France-United Arab Emirates tax treaty defines the rules for handling taxes when nationals of either country do business with each other. These treaties cover topics such as double taxation, the exchange of information, and income exemptions. The France-United Arab Emirates tax treaty ensures that individuals pay the appropriate amount of tax on their respective income and provides guidance on what must be declared and when. It also allows companies in both countries to benefit from favorable tax treatment in connection with their cross-border activities. In addition, it can help facilitate trade between France and the United Arab Emirates by reducing the tax burden on both sides. In other words, an international tax treaty allows taxpayers to avoid being taxed twice as a result of the simultaneous application of the tax legislation of two contracting states (for example, France and the United Arab Emirates). Further reading: The Tax Treaty between the Emirates and France to Avoid Double Taxation.

What is tax residence?

Tax residence is an important concept to understand when filing your tax return. It refers to the place where you pay taxes, generally where you live and work. To determine your tax residence, it is important to consider factors such as where you have a permanent residence or spend most of your time, where your family lives, and whether you have an address in the country. Tax residence also affects the type of taxes you pay and the amount you owe. Depending on the country, different rules may apply regarding tax residence. For example, some countries may require you to reside there for a certain period before becoming a tax resident. It is essential to know your tax residence to determine which taxes you must pay and how much they amount to. Tax residence in France is defined by Article 4 B of the French General Tax Code. Further reading: What should you know about tax treaties in Dubai?

Tax residence in the United Arab Emirates

Tax residence in the United Arab Emirates is a complex but advantageous process. It involves filing taxes every year in order to reside legally in the country. Individuals who are considered tax residents of the Emirates must pay taxes on their worldwide income. Depending on their nationality, individuals may be subject to tax both in the Emirates and in France. This can be handled through double taxation treaties, which allow individuals to pay taxes in either or both countries without being penalized. The Emirates have concluded agreements with many countries, including France, allowing them to receive income from abroad without having to pay additional taxes.
Further reading:

Which taxes are covered by the double taxation treaty between the UAE and France?

According to the France-United Arab Emirates tax treaty, the following taxes are covered by it:
  • Regarding France: income tax, corporate income tax, wealth tax applied to individuals, and inheritance tax in France;
  • Regarding the Emirates: corporate income tax and income tax in the United Arab Emirates.
The treaty also covers other similar taxes, whether they were imposed before or after the treaty was signed. Any new tax permitted by either of the two signatory states will be added to or replace the current double taxation treaty between the UAE and France.

Provisions aimed at avoiding double taxation

Provisions aimed at avoiding double taxation are designed to ensure that individuals and companies are not taxed twice on the same income. This is particularly important when income comes from two or more different countries, as it would be unfair to tax that income in both countries. Under such a treaty, income or profits derived from France by a resident of another state are taxable only in France, unless the income originates in the other state. In addition, real estate located in France is taxed only in France, unless a company's place of effective management is located in the other state. This provision applies to both individuals and companies and allows them to continue their usual activities in both countries while avoiding being taxed twice on the same income.

Our support

If you still have questions, we invite you to contact us at support@merritt.group or meet us at our offices in JLT, Dubai - UAE. Our firm has a team of lawyers who will help you better understand the France-United Arab Emirates tax treaty and the consequences it may have for you and your business in Dubai.
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