The UAE is not completely tax free, but it is still a considerably cheaper environment to live than Western countries for example. Current taxes in the UAE are as follows:

Corporate Tax – This is paid only by international banks and energy companies

Leisure Tax – All services provided by hotels (food, drink, spas, rooms) incur a 10% tax – this is paid only by hotels.

Housing Fee – This is issued in DEWA bills & you are charged 5% of your annual rent as a municipality charge for maintaining roads, street lighting etc. Home owners pay a percentage of their purchase price.

Maintenance fees – not strictly called a tax but these maintenance fees in free zones and some developments amount to a tax.

Alcohol attracts a haraam tax of 30% added on to the price tag. (‘haraam’ means forbidden)

Other than the above you are not directly taxed on anything else. Your income goes straight in to your pocket without income tax, national insurance etc taken out.

Taxation