Tax rates in Qatar
Tax Rates
Consumption Taxes
- Nature of the Tax
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Currently, Qatar imposes no VAT or sales tax on operations in its territory. However, VAT is expected to be implemented by 2023, since Qatar is part of the GCC VAT framework.
- Tax Rate
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N/A at the moment. The standard rate of VAT in Qatar and the GCC should be 5%.
- Reduced Tax Rate
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N/A at the moment.
- Other Consumption Taxes
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Excise tax applies in Qatar from 1 January 2019 and is imposed both on imports and locally produced goods. Rates are 100% on tobacco products, energy drinks and “special purpose” goods and 50% on carbonated drinks.
Corporate Taxes
- Company Tax
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10%
- Tax Rate For Foreign Companies
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An entity that is wholly or partially foreign-owned and that derives income from sources in Qatar is taxable in Qatar, regardless of the place of its incorporation.
A company is resident in Qatar if it is incorporated in accordance with Qatari laws, its head office or its place of effective management and control is situated in the country (residency is used to determine whether withholding taxes will apply on payments, but not for corporate income tax purposes).
- Capital Gains Taxation
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Capital gains are aggregated with other income and are subject to tax at the regular corporate income tax rate.
- Main Allowable Deductions and Tax Credits
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Expenses occurred to generate income are generally deductible, provided they are not capital in nature.
Other deductible expenditures include: employee costs (including salaries, wages, gratuities, and other ends of service benefits), losses resulting from the sale of assets, rents, insurance premiums. Bad debts are deductible subject to approval of the General Tax Authority. Interests on loans are deductible (subject to conditions). Entertainment expenses are deductible up to 2% of net income or QAR 500,000, whichever is lower.
Certain charitable contributions are deductible, up to 3% of the net profit in the year in which the deduction is claimed.
Payments to foreign head offices are deductible up to 3% of the total revenue less certain other costs (1% for banks and insurance companies).
Losses may be deducted from the net income during the year. Losses can be carried forward for five years after the year in which they were incurred, but cannot be carried back.
- Other Corporate Taxes
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Employers have to pay social insurance in respect of Qatari employees (10% of the basic salary) but have no obligations for foreign employees.
Employees' salaries, wages, and allowances are not subject to income tax.
Although no property or transfer taxes are levied in Qatar, fees may be payable to the government by the owner on the registration of property and by the landlord on the registration of leases.
- Other Domestic Resources
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General Tax Authority (GTA)
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Consult Doing Business website (World Bank), to obtain a summary of the taxes and mandatory contributions.
Country Comparison For Corporate Taxation
|
Qatar |
Middle East & North Africa |
United States |
Germany |
Number of Payments of Taxes per Year |
4.0 |
20.8 |
10.6 |
9.0 |
Time Taken For Administrative Formalities (Hours) |
41.0 |
204.0 |
175.0 |
218.0 |
Total Share of Taxes (% of Profit) |
11.3 |
32.1 |
36.6 |
48.8 |
Source:
Doing Business,
Latest available data.
Individual Taxes
Tax Rate
Employees |
Income tax is not imposed on employed individuals' salaries, wages, and allowances. Only business income is taxable in Qatar. |
Self-employed |
A self-employed individual may be subject to income tax if one derives qualifying income from sources in Qatar, regardless of his/her tax residency. |
- Allowable Deductions and Tax Credits
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N/A
- Special Expatriate Tax Regime
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Individuals are taxable in Qatar on their qualifying Qatar-source income, regardless of their tax residence.
Double Taxation Treaties
- Countries With Whom a Double Taxation Treaty Have Been Signed
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List of Tax Conventions signed by Qatar
- Withholding Taxes
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Dividends: 0; Interest: 0 (residents)/5% (non-residents); Royalties: 0 (residents)/5% (non-residents)
The rates may be further reduced under a tax treaty.
- Bilateral Agreement
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The United Kingdom and Qatar are bound by a double taxation treaty.
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Latest Update: May 2024