Sovereign PPG
News & Updates

The UAE Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has implemented a comprehensive overhaul of the UAE VAT Executive Regulations through Cabinet Decision 100 of 2024 amending Cabinet Decision No. 52 of 2017, which brings significant changes to the way VAT is applied and managed within the country. These changes are effective from 15th November 2024.

Here is a summary of the key updates:

Digital Assets & Financial Services: The definition of exempt financial services now includes digital assets, such as cryptocurrencies, effective from January 1, 2018. This move clarifies the previously uncertain VAT treatment of digital assets. Additionally, investment fund management services are now recognized as exempt, marking a shift from the previous 5% VAT.

Input VAT Apportionment: The FTA can now formally require taxpayers to apply for a special Input VAT apportionment method if the default method does not provide a fair and reasonable attribution. Taxpayers can also request FTA approval for a fixed apportionment percentage based on the previous year's ratio.

Medical Insurance: VAT recovery is now permitted on health insurance for employees, their spouse, and dependents within the limits of one spouse and three children under the age of eighteen.

Export of Goods: Updated provisions for retaining official and commercial evidence for exports aim to ease the process for businesses applying the zero rate on exports.

Export of Services: Additional requirements to zero rate export of services. Supply should not fall under any special place of supply rules.

Composite Supplies: Clarification provided for the tax treatment of composite supplies without a principal component.

Other Notable Changes include expanded definitions of goods to include real estate transactions, clarifications on residential buildings, adjustments under the Capital Assets Scheme, and new requirements for the issuance of Tax Invoices and Tax Credit Notes.

For any assistance with UAE VAT submissions and filings, accounting and bookkeeping requirements contact Sovereign PPG via the contact form below or email our client accounting team accountingdxb@SovereignGroup.com and we would be delighted to assist.

Companies in Saudi Arabia must prepare financial statements after the end of the fiscal year, in accordance with the contract/bylaws, and upload them via the Qawaem platform. Qawaem is a platform for uploading financial statements in Saudi Arabia.

The financial statements should be submitted before the end of the statutory period. The company's statutory period will be based on the company's contract and Articles of Association (AoA).

The Ministry of Commerce urges businesses to comply with deadlines as late submissions will result in statutory penalties amounting to SR 500,000 under the Saudi Companies Law.

How can we assist in KSA? 

If you require assistance with Saudi portal management and online filing, accounting and bookkeeping requirements in Saudi Arabia, or any other related company formation and maintenance requirements in KSA, then please do get in touch with us at +966 (0)535 377 578 for KSA or +971 (0)4 456 1761 for Dubai or fill in the online form below and we will be delighted to assist you.

The UAE government has made it mandatory for employees to register with an unemployment insurance scheme called the Involuntary Loss of Employment (ILOE) this year. The registration deadline was extended to October 1, 2023. Failure to register before 1st October has resulted in fines for employees.

If your employees have failed to register, The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (Mohre) will provide a list of employees' names who have failed to register and will receive fines. These fines need to be settled as soon as possible by the employee, or the fines will increase to AED 200 per month. MoHRE is expected to deduct the fine amount directly from the Wages Protection System (WPS) at the time of salary or end-of-service payment, whichever is applicable. Additionally, until the fines are paid, the company will not be able to renew or cancel the employees labour cards and visas.

Unsubscribed employees should register for ILOE without any further delay. They can log on to https://www.iloe.ae/ and explore the available subscription channels to complete the process.

Unsubscribed employees are required to pay the MOHRE fine of AED 400 within the next three months to avoid further complications. The payment can be made through the MOHRE app or website using the following steps:

• Log into https://www.mohre.gov.ae/
• Under the 'Services' tab, select 'ILOE Quick Pay'
• Enter the necessary details such as Emirates ID Card/Labour Card/UID #/MOHRE Person Number (where applicable)
• Follow the steps to complete the payment of the AED 400 fines.

PPG as part of Sovereign Group, can assist clients through RegisterAnAircraft (RANA) which is the aviation division of Sovereign which focuses mainly on private clients corporate jets, helicopters and turboprops.

Our Aviation services:

- Corporate structuring for aviation assets

- Aviation finance

- Aviation insurance through SIS

- Aviation consultancy

- Aircraft registration in many other jurisdictions

If you would like assistance with any Aircraft or Aviation related services in the UAE or any of our other jurisdictions, please reach out to us on +971 4456 1761 Dubai or alternatively you can email us at SovPPG@SovereignGroup.com

Published: 01/11/2023

Remote visas can now be renewed for a period of one (1) year.

This is a new process and there was no renewal period before.

The documentation requirements for this will remain the same and the service fee will continue to be the same.

Sovereign PPG can assist with your PRO, visa and licensing needs. For further information please contact our team on +971 (0)4 456 1761 for Dubai or +971 (0)2 448 5120 for Abu Dhabi. Alternatively, email us at SovPPG@SovereignGroup.com

The process of renewing labor contracts through online channels now allows for Tawjeeh to be efficiently managed. To initiate the online training, kindly adhere to the following steps provided.

Published: 01/11/2023

• Download MOHRE application via the below links:

- Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ae.gov.mol&hl=en&gl=US

- iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/ae/app/mohre-uae/id807379317

• Log in to MOHRE using UAE Pass (if employee does not have UAE Pass, they will need to register using passport or labour card number)

• Select Employee

• Enter labour card number

• In Services select Tawjeeh

• Enter phone number for OTP

• Enter OTP

• Tawjeeh video will automatically begin – this cannot be paused and if you exit you will need to restart the video

• Once training is complete you need to record a short selfie video and answer 3 questions and then you get a confirmation of completion – see attached

• PRO can then proceed with the submission online

Sovereign PPG can assist with your PRO, visa and licensing needs. For further information please contact our team on +971 (0)4 456 1761 for Dubai or +971 (0)2 448 5120 for Abu Dhabi. Alternatively, email us at SovPPG@SovereignGroup.com

Published: 18/07/2023

On 11 July 2023, The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) announced the inclusion of Emiratisation requirements for smaller business with a workforce of 20-49 employees in the UAE to meet new Emiratisation targets.

Initially, MoHRE issued Ministerial Decision 279 of 2022, on 6th June 2022, introducing new measures for increasing the population of Emiratis working within the private sector, whereby companies with over 50 employees were required to maintain specified Emiratisation rates, outlines as a percentage of the skilled workforce. Companies were expected to have achieved a rate of 2% Emiratisation by end of 2022, with a further 2% through 2023, to reach a total 4% overall. Increasing by 2% year-on-year, by the end of 2026, companies are expected to have achieved a minimum of 10% of UAE citizens operating in skilled positions.

What has changed?

MoHRE announced a new Emiratisation bracket, extending the scope of Emiratisation and introducing the need for companies with 20-49 employees to take on one Emirati hire by end of next year (2024). Each business falling within this employee range must then hire one additional Emirati into a skilled role by the end of each year.

The sectors that are required by the MoHRE to account for the new regulation includes: Financial and insurance activities; Real estate; Information and communications; Education; Healthcare and social work; Construction; Transportation and warehousing; Hospitality and residency services; Wholesale and retail; Administrative and support services; Professional and technical activities; Arts and entertainment; Mining and quarrying; Transformative industries.

What does that mean for employers?

Companies that fall within the employee range of 20-49 employees, are now included in the Emiratisation initiative and are required to meet specific Emiratisation quotas. Each business employing within this range are expected to hire at least one Emirati by the end of 2024, with one additional Emirati hire each year.

It is strongly urged that companies falling within this Emiratisation bracket are actively seeking to meet their hiring quota as soon as possible. To achieve this, it is recommended that companies that are yet to apply, register and engage with the UAE government’s partnership programme ‘Nafis’ or other similar recruitment agencies. The UAE government has created the Nafis platform, which can specifically aid companies with recruiting and discovering Emiratis candidates for hiring and achieving their Emiratisation quotas.

For companies who fail to comply with hiring one Emirati into a skilled role before the required deadline, they risk incurring penalties and fines. Should a company of 20-49 employees fail to hire one Emirati in 2024, they will be subject to a AED96,000 penalty fine. This fine will further increase to AED108,000 should the company fail to employ an Emirati in 2025.

How can Sovereign PPG assist?

Sovereign PPG can advise you on your company’s Emiratisation requirements and help you determine which tier your company is currently in and what steps need to be taken to ensure that you are fully compliant with the latest legislation.

If you need assistance with the new Emiratisation rules or any other related onshore or offshore company setup, restructuring, local partner or PRO support matter in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, the wider UAE, Oman, Qatar or KSA, then please do get in touch with us on +971 (0)4 456 1761 for Dubai or +971 (0)2 448 5120 for Abu Dhabi, email us at SovPPG@SovereignGroup.com or fill in the inline form and we would be delighted to assist you.

The Executive Office for Control & Non-Proliferation is pleased to announce the publication of an updated Guidance on Counter Proliferation Financing for FIs, DNFBPs, and VASPs

Published Date: 01 November 2022

Sovereign PPG can guide you through the process of regulatory compliance for your business, licensing, visa acquisition and liaising directly with government departments on your behalf.

If you need assistance with setting up a regulatory compliant company, onshore or offshore setup, restructuring, local partner or PRO support matter in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, the wider UAE, Oman, Qatar or KSA, then please do get in touch with us on +971 (0)4 456 1761 for Dubai or +971 (0)2 448 5120 for Abu Dhabi, email us at SovPPG@SovereignGroup.com or complete the contact form below and we will be delighted to assist you.

Gitex Global has helped to place technology among Dubai's top priorities and the event, which runs from Monday to Friday at Dubai World Trade Centre, made the emirate a key technology centre, says Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.

“This year, my office has partnered with Gitex to ensure that we’re not just showcasing technology, but actually inventing and developing technology,” said Omar Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Working System.

North Star Dubai, one of the region's largest start-up events, also takes place alongside Gitex. 

Read the full article