Qatar

Corporate - Taxes on corporate income

Last reviewed - 03 April 2024

An entity that is wholly or partially foreign owned and that derives income from sources in Qatar is taxable in Qatar. In the case of a joint venture, the tax liability of the joint venture is dependent upon the foreign partners’ share of the joint venture's profit. Currently, no corporate income tax (CIT) is levied on a corporate entity that is wholly owned by Qatari nationals and GCC nationals that are resident in Qatar.

Unless specifically exempt from tax, an entity will be taxable in Qatar if it has generated Qatar-source income, regardless of the place of its incorporation.

Taxable income generally is subject to a flat (CIT) rate of 10%, with certain exceptions available.

The following tax rates apply in the specific circumstances noted:

  • If a special agreement was reached with the government of Qatar prior to 1 January 2010, the rate specified in the agreement continues to apply. If no rate is specified in the agreement, a rate of 35% will be used.
  • The rate applied with respect to oil operations, as defined in Law No. 3 of 2007, may not be less than 35%.
  • Payments made to non-residents with respect to certain service activities not connected with a PE in Qatar are subject to WHTs (see the Withholding taxes section).
  • In addition to the above, fully owned subsidiaries of listed entities are now taxable to the extent of non-exempt ownership (i.e. foreign or non-exempt Qatari / GCC ownership). Previously, there was a perception amongst taxpayers that such subsidiaries were tax exempt.

Local income taxes

There are no local, state, or provincial government taxes on income in Qatar.