The Economic Substance Test requires a Licensee to demonstrate that: the Licensee and Relevant Activity are being directed and managed in the UAE; the relevant Core Income Generating Activities (“CIGAs”) are being conducted in the UAE; and The entity will need to be directed and managed in the jurisdiction with regards to the relevant activity & The entity will need to have an adequate number of qualified employees, incur adequate expenditure in the jurisdiction proportionate to the level of activity and have adequate physical presence in the jurisdiction (e.g. office space, facilities, etc.). Find more here 

The regulations set out a reporting framework that applies to companies and/or licensees carrying out “Relevant Activities”. These activities are listed as follows:

• Banking Business
• Insurance Business
• Investment Fund management Business
• Lease – Finance Business
• Headquarters Business
• Shipping Business
• Holding Company Business
• Intellectual property Business (“IP”)
• Distribution and Service Centre Business

Persons excluded from ESR applicability

• Natural Persons, sole proprietorship, trust and a foundation will not be treated as licensees for the purpose of ESR and therefore do not need to file a notification or meet the Economic Substance Test
• A Licensee that is tax resident outside the UAE;
• An Investment Fund and its underlying SPVs / investment holding entities;
• An entity wholly owned by UAE residents and

(i) Entities are not part of a multinational group, and

(ii) All activities of business are carried out only in the UAE.

• A branch of a foreign entity that is subject to tax on all of its Relevant Income in a foreign jurisdiction;
• Any other Licensee at the direction of the Minister of Finance.

An Exempted entity must

(i) file a notification and

(ii) provide sufficient documentary evidence to substantiate the exemption status

Economic Substance Test and Reporting Requirements

• Requirement of at least one meeting to be held in the UAE is now removed
• Financial statements are now mandatorily required to be submitted with Economic Substance Report 

Every Licensee and Exempted Licensee is required to submit a Notification to their respective Regulatory Authorities setting out the following for each relevant Financial Year

1. The nature of the Relevant Activity being carried out.
2. Whether it generates Relevant Income
3. The date of the end of its Financial Year
4. Any other information as may be requested by the Regulatory Authority.

According to Revised ESR, the Notification must be submitted within six months from the end of the Financial Year of the Licensee or Exempted License.

Every Licensee shall be required to meet the applicable Economic Substance Test requirements and submit an Economic Substance Report containing the requisite information and documentation prescribed under the ESR Regulations within twelve  months from the end of the relevant Financial Year.