Unlike US expatriates, citizens of most other nations generally aren't liable for income earned in the UAE if they've established residency outside their home countries. However, this privilege is not automatic - and it can be a difficult struggle to convince the taxman that you've actually moved away.
The basic rule for the UK and Commonwealth nations, as well as India, is that non-residents must spend less than six months back home during the previous tax year. The UK also considers citizens to be residents if they spend 91 days or more at one go in Britain during the previous year, and India does the same if a citizen spends 365 days or more at home over a four-year period.
The full legal picture is much more complicated, as many countries have long lists of exceptions that take into account how many legal ties the expat maintains back home. Owning property often leads tax officials to consider you a resident, especially if you are not renting out the property.
In some countries, overseas workers' income may be taxable back home if their spouses or dependents still live there. In a number of places, such as Canada, even holding a driving licence or keeping your car registered might be considered "residential ties".
Sometimes, it can take a year or longer to satisfy your country's non-residency requirements. Recent expats could be liable for taxes back home on their UAE income for these first years, especially if they moved to the Emirates in the middle of a tax cycle.
In a few lucky cases, a UAE residence visa is enough to end your tax obligations. In the Philippines, for example, citizens are not liable for foreign income if they leave for permanent work in the Emirates, no matter how late in the tax year.
Remember that citizens of virtually all countries are liable for tax on income earned in that country, no matter where they live. This includes money earned from investments and savings interest. Even if your income back home falls below your country's tax threshold (assuming that exemption still applies for you), you'll probably have to file a tax return anyway.
Also consider the source of your current income. If you work for a company based in your home country - or your home government - you may be liable for taxes on income earned here, especially if some or all of your pay goes directly to a bank account back home.
Finally, if you've moved to the Emirates from a third country where you weren't a citizen, you may have to establish your new residency for both your previous host country and your home nation.
It pays to consult a tax adviser who specialises in your home tax laws on a regular basis, especially if you've moved to the UAE recently or have made a major change to your financial situation (such as buying a house).
mgimignani@thenational.ae
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
Company profile
Name: GiftBag.ae
Based: Dubai
Founded: 2011
Number of employees: 4
Sector: E-commerce
Funding: Self-funded to date
Company%20Profile
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
RESULT
Aston Villa 1
Samatta (41')
Manchester City 2
Aguero (20')
Rodri (30')
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
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Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley