A reader says Indian authorities should put as much effort into chasing criminals as they did into hunting an escaped leopard. Reuters
A reader says Indian authorities should put as much effort into chasing criminals as they did into hunting an escaped leopard. Reuters
A reader says Indian authorities should put as much effort into chasing criminals as they did into hunting an escaped leopard. Reuters
A reader says Indian authorities should put as much effort into chasing criminals as they did into hunting an escaped leopard. Reuters

The National

India should chase down all its criminals

A reader says Indian authorities should put as much commitment into hunting other criminals as they did into chasing a runaway leopard. Other topics: taxi technology, cloud-seeding and Dubai's attractions.

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Leopard visits cinema as it runs wild in Indian city and injures 6 (February 24) was disturbing to read.

The Indian authorities have put a lot of effort into trying to catch this poor animal.

They should also launch a manhunt for the rapists who are on the run and pose a major threat to women in New Delhi.

That the authorities have not been able to track many of these criminals is shameful.

Fatima Suhail, Abu Dhabi

How about an app to make ordering a taxi even easier?

I am writing in response to Triska Hamid's article, Dubai taxis to offer free Wi-Fi in smart city push ahead of Expo 2020 (February 25) and the related editorial, Human factor missing in hi-tech UAE taxis (February 26).

I hope they will also develop an app where you can locate the nearest free taxi via a map and the global positioning system (GPS) on your smartphone , and then order it to come and pick you up.

With such a system, the GPS in the taxi will enable the driver to know where you are.

I believe some cities in Europe are offering this service already.

A Wilmers, Dubai

Seeding can make the most of clouds

Cloud-seeding is an interesting topic for those who value our water resources (Meet the UAE cloud-seeding captain who flies into the eye of the storm, February 26).

Every time I arrive at the Abu Dhabi or Dubai airport, I get the opportunity to see that this part of the world is blessed with a great quantity and quality of water-filled clouds.

By judicious use of the cloud-seeding method, the meteorology department should be able to harvest more rain. Having more water will benefit both farmers and the general community.

If it is done properly, this scientific intervention should not affect the blessings given to this country by its desert climate.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

Paid car parks will ease drivers’ lot

I am writing about the frustrating matter of trying to find a place to park in Dubai.

Getting a parking space in Internet City, Media City or Knowledge Village has become extremely difficult these days. On many ­occasions, I have had to drive around for more than an hour to find a parking space.

The only solution to this situation is to build multistorey paid parking facilities in these areas. I hope that the relevant authorities will give immediate consideration to this idea.

KV Shamsudheen, Dubai

Sharjah’s links with India are welcome

It was interesting to read Ramola Talwar Badam’s article,

(February 26).

I welcome the news that Sharjah, which is known as “the cultural emirate”, wants to bolster its trade links with my home country.

Sharjah has a large Indian expatriate population, so importing Indian products to the emirate makes good sense.

The bilateral relationship between India and the UAE can only get stronger as a result of this ­initiative.

K Ragavan, India

Gyms can’t defy the law of gravity

I must take issue with the Scene and Heard blog post New Dubai gym offers zero gravity work outs (February 24)

Sorry, but the free-weight system described in the post has nothing to do with zero gravity.

O Auyezov, Dubai

Precious gift is worth sharing

Congratulations to Sheikh Saif bin Zayed (Sheikh Saif joins Twitter to announce birth of his son, February 27).

A little baby for parents who are going to love and protect him forever makes beautiful news.

Brigitte von Bulow, Abu Dhabi

Metro provides a reason to try Dubai

I was pleased to read your article about the opening of the Al Jadaf and Creek stations (Dubai Metro to open final two stations on Green Line, February 26).

Dubai is a great city, and I’d like to live there one day.

G Mazzamuto , Argentina

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

While you're here
If you go

The flights
There are various ways of getting to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania from the UAE. The exact route and airstrip depends on your overall trip itinerary and which camp you’re staying at. 
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dh1,350 return, including taxes; this can be followed by a short flight from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti with Coastal Aviation from about US$700 (Dh2,500) return, including taxes. Kenya Airways, Emirates and Etihad offer flights via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.   

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