United Arab Emirates: Trusts

The Federal Tax Authority has issued an updated Corporate Tax Guide on the Taxation of Family Foundations for 2026, introducing important clarifications to the UAE Corporate Tax regime. The new guidance addresses previously uncovered areas including asset transfers, tax basis adjustments, fiscal transparency limitations, and multi-family ownership arrangements, providing greater certainty for family wealth structures operating under UAE tax law.

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The UAE has rapidly emerged as a global hub for family offices, attracting high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and ultra-high-net-worth families seeking sophisticated wealth management, succession planning, and asset protection.

Foundations and Trusts are both legal entities that are used to manage assets and provide financial support for specific individuals or organizations.

Furthermore, with philanthropic giving on the rise, more families are reviewing their existing succession plans and choosing to restructure their assets by way of a trust or foundation.

Dubai has in recent times taken steps to bolster its position as a forward-looking jurisdiction for set up of Family Offices, Trusts and Foundations.