UAE / Dubai Expat Tax Guide 2025
FEIE, Foreign Tax Credits, banking, visa options & filing strategies for US expats in UAE / Dubai.
How UAE / Dubai Taxes Work
UAE / Dubai's tax system: No personal income tax (9% corporate tax on profits over AED 375K).
FEIE vs Foreign Tax Credit
FEIE is maximally effective — zero local tax means FEIE eliminates all US federal income tax up to the limit.
The FEIE allows you to exclude up to $130,000 of foreign earned income from US taxation in 2025.
Social Security & Self-Employment Tax
UAE / Dubai does not have a totalization agreement. Self-employed US expats will owe US SE tax (15.3%) regardless of local contributions.
Banking for US Expats
Emirates NBD and Mashreq are common. FATCA reporting is standard.
Visa Options
Freelance visa, Golden Visa (10-year), or company formation visa.
Cost of Living
High — $3,000–$5,000/month in Dubai, less in Abu Dhabi or Sharjah.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do US expats in UAE / Dubai need to file US taxes?
Yes. US citizens must file regardless of where they live. The FEIE can exclude up to $130,000.
Should I use FEIE or FTC?
FEIE is maximally effective — zero local tax means FEIE eliminates all US federal income tax up to the limit.
What is the cost of living?
High — $3,000–$5,000/month in Dubai, less in Abu Dhabi or Sharjah.
Compare FEIE vs FTC vs Combined strategies for UAE / Dubai.
Try the Calculator →The Capacity Read maps your money, energy, and systems — then gives you the exact sequence to fix them.
Get Your Capacity Read →