How does BIR Revenue Regulation 8-2018 affect my UAE company?

As a Filipino tax resident, you are required to declare your global income to the BIR. Income generated by your UAE company may be subject to Philippine income tax depending on your tax residency status and the nature of your business activities.

Is the 9% UAE Corporate Tax applicable to all income?

The 9% Corporate Tax applies to taxable income exceeding AED 375,000. Income below this threshold is currently subject to a 0% tax rate under the Small Business Relief program, provided specific conditions are met.

UAE Free Zone (Dubai South) · via Shuraa Business Setup (UAE BSC)·🇵🇭Founder profile

Dubai South Free Zone LLC Incorporation for Filipino Remote Workers

Name: Shuraa Business Setup (UAE BSC) — UAE Free Zone (Dubai South) for Filipino Remote Workers
Brand: Shuraa Business Setup (UAE BSC)
Price: 7500 USD
Availability: InStock

VerifiedJul 2026

EligibilityConditional

Setup timeline21–45days

Year-1 total$7,500

Filipino remote workers can incorporate a Free Zone LLC in Dubai South to access the UAE's business infrastructure. This structure allows for 100% foreign ownership and specific tax benefits for companies earning below the AED 375,000 threshold.

Registration requires compliance with both UAE licensing regulations and Philippine BIR Revenue Regulation 8-2018 regarding freelance and business income reporting.

§ 01Cost of ownership

Model the full outlay, not just the setup fee

Renewal costs sneak up on non-resident founders. Compare year-1 filing against a 3-year total to see the real bill.

Currency · USD (live FX)

2-year cost of ownership

$12,000

≈ $500.00/month amortized·USD @ live FX

Time horizon

Line items

Amount

SetupShuraa Business Setup (UAE BSC) setup
$7,500
AnnualYear 2 renewal
$4,500

Total$12,000

§ 02Tax residency · Filipino Remote Workers

What the tax authority sees

US federal / local status

The UAE imposes a 9% Corporate Tax on taxable income exceeding AED 375,000 under UAE Federal Decree-Law 47/2022.

Home-country rule

BIR Revenue Regulation 8-2018; freelance registration

Editorial verdict

Leverage Dubai South's proximity to DWC for logistics-focused operations; ensure you maintain a physical office lease to satisfy UAE economic substance requirements.

Key compliance risks

01UAE economic substance requirements for tax residency
02BIR tax compliance for Philippine-sourced income
03Mandatory physical office lease for license renewal

§ 03Setup timeline

From filing to funded bank account

Setup timeline

21–45days total, 3 phases

Milestone check

Filing · Tax ID · Banking

d0

d11

d23

d34

d45

01FilingShuraa Business Setup (UAE BSC) submits formation docs

d0–d16

02Tax ID / EINLocal tax authority registration

d14–d34

03BankingBusiness account approved & funded

d27–d45

§ 04Head-to-head

UAE Free Zone (Dubai South) vs US LLC (Wyoming)

Full comparison →

UAE Free Zone (Dubai South)

Free Zone LLC

US LLC (Wyoming)

LLC

Entity

Free Zone LLC

LLC

Setup cost

$1,020

$102.00

Annual

$1,020

$60.00

Local director

Remote OK

Physical presence

Remote OK

Tax regime

9% CT above AED 375k; aviation/logistics near DWC airport

0% state tax; federal only on US-source income

§ 05Questions founders actually ask

FAQ

No, you do not need to reside in the UAE to own the company. However, you must obtain a UAE residence visa if you intend to manage the company from within the country. The Free Zone requires a registered physical office address to maintain your license.

More profiles for UAE Free Zone (Dubai South)

Filipino Remote Workers — other jurisdictions

Next step

Start filing with Shuraa Business Setup (UAE BSC)

Formation typically completes in 2–3 weeks. Use the promo below, then click through to begin the checklist directly on the platform.

Claim on Shuraa Business Setup (UAE BSC)