As 2025 has closed and 2026 has begun, we at Aurifer rewind the tape of the last intense year while anticipating developments in the GCC region and beyond.

Year-end adjustments, specifically “true-up” and “true-down”, are common practices in transfer pricing (TP) and financial reporting. These adjustments are corrections made at year-end to align related-party transactions with arm's-length standards or budgeted/targeted financial metrics.

Crowdfunding has emerged as a developing alternative financing mechanism worldwide, including in the United Arab Emirates ("UAE"). In line with the UAE's ambition to strengthen its position as a regional financial hub promoting innovation and investment, legislative initiatives have been introduced to enable crowdfunding activity.

The introduction of the federal Corporate Income Tax (CIT) regime in the United Arab Emirates marks a shift in the country’s business landscape. From financial years beginning on or after 1 June 2023, companies are required to pay 9% on profits above AED 375,000, with income below that threshold not taxable, effectively functioning as a nil bracket. The introduction of the federal Corporate Income Tax (CIT) regime in the United Arab Emirates marks a shift in the country’s business landscape.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) VAT regime, introduced as of 1 January 2018 through Federal Decree‑Law No. (8) of 2017 on Value Added Tax (“UAE VAT Law”), is built on the principle of fiscal neutrality. Businesses are not meant to bear the burden of VAT when they engage in taxable activities, and the system allows them to recover VAT incurred on costs directly linked to the making of taxable supplies.

The introduction of the federal Corporate Income Tax (CIT) regime in the United Arab Emirates marks a shift in the country’s business landscape. From financial years beginning on or after 1 June 2023, companies are required to pay 9% on profits above AED 375,000, with income below that threshold not taxable, effectively functioning as a nil bracket. The introduction of the federal Corporate Income Tax (CIT) regime in the United Arab Emirates marks a shift in the country’s business landscape.

This document provides a consolidated overview of recent tax developments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (“KSA” or “Saudi Arabia”) in the last 12 months. The National Report provides insights on key developments, regulatory changes, and economic impacts within the fiscal environment in the KSA.

For businesses familiar with the stringent tax penalty regime in the UAE, the term “tax audit” often invokes feelings of fear, doubt, and anxiety. While these emotions are natural, understanding the dos and don’ts of navigating a tax audit can significantly influence how a business responds to the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) and, in turn, impact the outcome of the audit.

For businesses familiar with the stringent tax penalty regime in the UAE, the term “tax audit” often invokes feelings of fear, doubt, and anxiety. While these emotions are natural, understanding the dos and don’ts of navigating a tax audit can significantly influence how a business responds to the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) and, in turn, impact the outcome of the audit.

The introduction of Corporate Income Tax (“CIT”) in the United Arab Emirates (“UAE”) has been a pivotal moment in the country’s continuous development. Historically, the UAE operated as a jurisdiction where no federal corporate income tax (CIT) was applicable.