• Goebbels by Peter Longerich. He was Hitler’s minister of propaganda and master of the dark arts. But in this “revelatory” biography of Joseph Goebbels, we find a man dogged by insecurities and so consumed by the Nazi cause it led to the grisly mass suicide of himself along with the rest of his family. (Bodley Head, January 8)
    Goebbels by Peter Longerich. He was Hitler’s minister of propaganda and master of the dark arts. But in this “revelatory” biography of Joseph Goebbels, we find a man dogged by insecurities and so consumed by the Nazi cause it led to the grisly mass suicide of himself along with the rest of his family. (Bodley Head, January 8)
  • Becoming Richard Pryor by Scott Saul. He was the comedy genius who revolutionised America. This is a meticulously well-­researched biography on Richard ­Pryor’s early difficult life, how he harnessed the black freedom movement and the counterculture into his comedy and ­became a star. (Harper, January 15)
    Becoming Richard Pryor by Scott Saul. He was the comedy genius who revolutionised America. This is a meticulously well-­researched biography on Richard ­Pryor’s early difficult life, how he harnessed the black freedom movement and the counterculture into his comedy and ­became a star. (Harper, January 15)
  • The Possibilities by Kaui Hart Hemmings. After her 22-year-old son is killed in an ­avalanche, Sarah St John must try to pick the pieces of her life. She wants to be left alone but everyone seems to want something from her. Second offering from the author of the best-selling The Descendants. (Cape, January 15)
    The Possibilities by Kaui Hart Hemmings. After her 22-year-old son is killed in an ­avalanche, Sarah St John must try to pick the pieces of her life. She wants to be left alone but everyone seems to want something from her. Second offering from the author of the best-selling The Descendants. (Cape, January 15)
  • The Room by Jonas Karlsson. A Kafkaesque novel about a meticulous bureaucrat who discovers a secret room at the government office where he works – a secret room that no one else in his office will acknowledge. But Bjorn’s bizarre behaviour leads to his work colleagues trying to have him fired. (Hogarth, January 15)
    The Room by Jonas Karlsson. A Kafkaesque novel about a meticulous bureaucrat who discovers a secret room at the government office where he works – a secret room that no one else in his office will acknowledge. But Bjorn’s bizarre behaviour leads to his work colleagues trying to have him fired. (Hogarth, January 15)
  • Summertime by Vanessa Lafaye. Based around a devastating 1935 Labour Day hurricane, the story is set in a small, racially divided town in Key West and revolves around several characters. These include a war veteran, society wife and domestic help – lives about to be changed for ever by the gathering storm. (Orion, January 15)
    Summertime by Vanessa Lafaye. Based around a devastating 1935 Labour Day hurricane, the story is set in a small, racially divided town in Key West and revolves around several characters. These include a war veteran, society wife and domestic help – lives about to be changed for ever by the gathering storm. (Orion, January 15)

Our top six books this week: how soccer has lost its soul and much more

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A look at the book we’re reading this week.

While you're here
While you're here
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

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