Malta vs United Arab Emirates
Corporate Tax Comparison
Time of Update: Malta: 4/04/2026 / United Arab Emirates: 4/01/2026
Compare Malta and United Arab Emirates corporate tax rates, filing due dates, withholding tax, VAT, capital gains tax, and effective tax metrics for cross-border company planning.
Malta vs United Arab Emirates Corporate Tax Comparison
Basic Corporate Tax Comparison
Corporate Income Tax (CIT)
Malta
United Arab Emirates
General CIT Rate:
35
General CIT Rate:
The standard corporate income tax rate in the UAE is set at 9% on taxable income above AED 375,000.
The corporate income tax rate is set at 0% for taxable income not exceeding 375,000 UAE dirham (AED) or qualifying income of a Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP).*
The corporate income tax rate is set at 0% for taxable income not exceeding 375,000 UAE dirham (AED) or qualifying income of a Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP).*
CIT Return Due Date:
After nine months from the end of the accounting period, or by 31 March following the tax year (even though the Maltese tax authorities typically extend this deadline by one to two months for electronically submitted cases), whichever is later.
CIT Return Due Date:
According to the UAE CT law, all taxable persons must submit the company tax return within nine months after the end of the relevant tax period.
CIT Payment Due Date:
The deadline for submitting tax returns (the electronic submission extension does not apply to tax filing) is also due.
CIT Payment Due Date:
According to the UAE CT law, all taxable persons must pay corporate tax within nine months after the end of the relevant tax period.
CIT Estimated Payment Due Date:
In general, temporary taxes are paid every four months: April 30, August 31, and December 21. However, there are also some exceptions, and the due date for tax payment may be postponed.
CIT Estimated Payment Due Date:
According to the UAE CT law, there is no need to estimate/prepay taxes.
Withholding Tax (WHT)
Malta
United Arab Emirates
Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
0/15/0
Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
0%
None-Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
0/0/0
None-Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
0%
Value-Added Tax (VAT)
Capital Gain Tax (CGT)
Malta
United Arab Emirates
General Capital Gain Tax Rate:
Regarding the tax rate on capital gains, please refer to the Malta Corporation Tax Summary.
General Capital Gain Tax Rate:
Individuals: Generally, there is no personal capital gains tax, as the UAE does not levy personal income tax.
Companies: Capital gains are generally treated under corporate tax rules and typically fall within the scope of corporate tax, unless special rules such as the participation exemption or QFZP (Qualifying Free Zone Person) apply.
Companies: Capital gains are generally treated under corporate tax rules and typically fall within the scope of corporate tax, unless special rules such as the participation exemption or QFZP (Qualifying Free Zone Person) apply.
Effective Tax Rate (ETR)
Malta
United Arab Emirates
Composite Effective Average Tax Rate:
28.80%
Composite Effective Average Tax Rate:
Composite Effective Marginal Tax Rate:
-9.75%
Composite Effective Marginal Tax Rate:
