In the ever-evolving landscape of international law, regulatory compliance stands as the bedrock upon which financial institutions build trust, credibility, and resilience. We write to draw your attention to a matter of paramount significance – the compliance obligations under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) and the Common Reporting Standard (CRS) within the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Understanding the Regulatory Framework:

The CRS, conceived in response to a G20 mandate by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), crystallized in October 2014. The UAE, demonstrating its commitment to global financial transparency, acceded to the Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters (MAC) and the Declaration of Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement on Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information (MCAA) in April 2017.

These agreements form the legal foundation for the implementation of the OECD Standard, a beacon for automatic exchange of financial information, ratified under Federal Laws No. 54 and 48 of 2018.

Concomitantly, FATCA, a hallmark of the United States' extraterritorial tax enforcement strategy, was enacted in 2010. The UAE entered into an Intergovernmental Agreement (UAE-US IGA) with the United States on 17 June 2015, solidifying its commitment to facilitating the exchange of financial information.

Compliance Imperative:

As stewards of financial prudence, the UAE Ministry of Finance (MoF), in its role as the competent authority for FATCA and CRS, has notified entities, to identify whether the company falls under the purview of FATCA and CRS regimes. This entails specific reporting obligations, if identified under the said regime and shall necessitate your immediate attention.

We urge you to meticulously review the communication sent across by the MoF, as it serves as a conduit for elucidating the intricacies of compliance and detailing the steps required for adherence to the stipulated standards.

Critical Deadline:

The deadline for your response is a critical facet of the compliance process. Timely and comprehensive compliance is indispensable, as any deviation from the prescribed timelines may attract legal consequences and compromise the standing of your business within the regulatory framework.

In conclusion, the pursuit of compliance is not merely a regulatory requisite but a testament to your commitment to the highest standards of financial probity. We commend your vigilance in upholding the integrity of your operations and stand ready to assist in navigating the labyrinthine landscape of FATCA and CRS compliance.

Thank you for your conscientious attention to this matter.