Does UAE (RAKEZ Free Zone) have a tax treaty with the US?
Limited or no — UAE (RAKEZ Free Zone) does not have a comprehensive US income tax treaty as of 2026. Without a treaty, default US withholding tax rates (30%) apply on cross-border payments. Some workarounds exist but the math is usually worse.
Permanent Establishment (PE) — the trap
A UAE (RAKEZ Free Zone) company is not subject to US income tax on its business profits — unless it has a "permanent establishment" in the US. PE triggers include:
- Fixed place of business in the US (office, factory, warehouse used for storage).
- Dependent agent with authority to conclude contracts on the company's behalf.
- Construction or installation site lasting more than 6-12 months (treaty-specific).
- Provision of services in the US exceeding 183 days in a 12-month period (services PE — newer treaties).
Pure online sales to US customers from UAE (RAKEZ Free Zone) generally do NOT create a US PE. Hiring a US-based employee or sales contractor often does.
What this means for your structure
- Without a treaty, US-source dividends are withheld at 30%. Many UAE (RAKEZ Free Zone) founders form a US LLC instead, which has its own pass-through rules.
- If you hire a US sales rep or open a US office, you've likely created a PE. US corporate tax then applies on US-source business profits.
- For US customers paying you via Stripe in UAE (RAKEZ Free Zone): no US tax, no PE issue. Just normal UAE (RAKEZ Free Zone) corporate tax.
Treaty analysis is jurisdiction-specific. Always confirm with a cross-border tax professional before structuring large flows. See our non-resident US LLC tax calculator for the related US-side math.