TaxSavvyQA

Closing a branch of a foreign company

How is closing a branch different from closing an LLC?

The situation

A branch has no separate shareholders, but tax filings, NOC and CR cancellation still apply.

The law

  • Commercial Companies Law No. 11 of 2015: Rules on company forms, auditors, dissolution and liquidation
  • GTA announcement on certificate validity (June 2025): Tax compliance certificate valid one year; NOC for CR cancellation valid 90 days; NOC for change of ownership valid 180 days
  • Executive Regulations of Law No. 24 of 2018 (audited financial statements): Audited IFRS accounts must go with the return if capital exceeds QAR 200,000, income exceeds QAR 500,000 or the head office is abroad; accounts in Arabic from 2020

What it means for you

The head office passes the closure resolution. Audited final accounts are needed because the head office is abroad. Retained final payments from clients may need GTA NOCs.

What to do

  1. Head office resolution.
  2. Audited final accounts.
  3. File final returns.
  4. NOC and CR cancellation.

We can do this for youLiquidation and cancellation of a company with GTA clearance: QAR 12,000

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