Up to Dh20,000 Fine .. UAE Banks Issue Warning on Tax Rules
Emirates NBD Bank, which is considered a prominent financial institution in the UAE, has issued an advisory to select customers, urging them to ensure compliance with regulations pertaining to tax transparency.
Tax Transparency Regulations
The bank issued an email titled "Important Information" on Thursday evening, detailing the conditions of the Common Reporting Standard (CRS), a worldwide tax transparency initiative, and the necessary actions clients need to follow to adhere to these conditions.
Emirates NBD Bank Urges Customers to Ensure Regulatory Compliance
The Common Reporting Standard (CRS), established by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), requires financial institutions to ascertain the tax residency of their customers and keep precise and current records of both their tax residency and, when relevant, the tax residency of any controlling individuals.
Under these regulations, bank patrons are obligated to disclose their tax residency, furnish corroborative documentation, and complete a 'self-certification form.' Emirates NBD emphasized that these prerequisites need to be fulfilled "within a maximum of 30 days" from the email's issuance.
Emphasizing accuracy, account holders must ensure all provided details are correct; otherwise, the bank has conveyed that a penalty of Dh20,000 will be imposed. This punitive measure is in line with the UAE Ministry of Finance's (MoF) regulations for implementing the CRS within the nation.
Regulatory Requirements
Per MoF directives, financial institutions and banks are required to promptly report any breaches within a 30-day timeframe.
Addressing the concept of 'self-certification,' Emirates NBD elucidated in a FAQ section that this involves collecting information about a customer's tax status. The bank noted that this process is mandatory when customers initiate new bank accounts, invest in financial products, or if alterations occur in their circumstances. The bank's obligation is to identify customers who might be tax residents outside the nation where they hold their accounts and financial products.
Regarding determining tax residence, Emirates NBD clarified that for individuals, this typically pertains to jurisdictions where they are accountable for income tax payments or obligated to file tax returns. The bank further explained that additional factors are influenced by the tax residency rules of each jurisdiction. For entities, tax residence is where a company must submit a tax return or fulfill financial obligations.
In seeking comprehensive insights, Emirates NBD recommended consulting a tax or legal advisor.
