The National Creative Relief Programme, which offers grants to freelancers and small businesses in the creative field that were financially affected by the coronavirus pandemic, announced a second phase with larger grants available.
Launched in May by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, the programme supported 50 people and 37 companies in its first phase, giving funds between Dh15,000 and Dh50,000. Now, in its second phase, the programme is providing financial grants between Dh15,000 to Dh75,000 for people and small businesses with fewer than 10 employees.
The programme also added a category for business with 10 to 20 employees.
Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, said that the ministry continued to study the cultural field and how its creative industries are being affected by the crisis caused by Covid-19.
"We saw an urgent need to launch a second stage of the programme and include a category of companies with 10 to 20 employees," she said.
"We increased the financial value of the grant to a maximum of Dh75,000 in order to maintain the sustainability of these companies, and ensure their growth and development in the creative market to drive the process of cultural development and knowledge sharing that comes at the forefront of the UAE’s development pillars.
“The creative sector is the most resilient and powerful in the region, thanks to the close co-operation between different institutions that enrich the cultural scene in the country and ensure the competitiveness of the creative economy in the UAE. Many creative communities have provided support programmes and economic incentives to encourage entrepreneurs and creatives to overcome the challenges posed by the Covid-19 crisis.”
Once applications to the programme are received, they are reviewed and evaluated by a committee that looks at specific criteria including size of loss, the amount of financial setback and the production of creative content in the UAE during 2019.
The programme is open to UAE residents and Emiratis who meet the criteria.
The programme covers the following industries:
- Natural and cultural heritage: museums, monuments and historical places, natural heritage, cultural education, intangible cultural heritage
- Performing arts and celebrations: performing arts, music, festivals and exhibitions
- Visual arts and crafts: fine arts, photography, crafts and reproduction
- Books and journalism: writing, books and magazines, archives, libraries
- Audio and interactive media: films, design and services, video, television and radio, interactive media, electronic games
Applications for the second phase of the National Creative Relief Programme will open from Wednesday, July 1, to Tuesday, July 14, through the ministry's website.
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
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How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
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
The Prison Letters of Nelson Mandela
Edited by Sahm Venter
Published by Liveright
