Heavy rain has caused disruption in Oman. Photo: Oman News Agency
Heavy rain has caused disruption in Oman. Photo: Oman News Agency
Heavy rain has caused disruption in Oman. Photo: Oman News Agency
Heavy rain has caused disruption in Oman. Photo: Oman News Agency

Couple killed in Oman floods


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A couple were found dead after days of heavy rainfall in Oman washed vehicles off the road.

The Omanis were among about a dozen people who were missing after three cars became caught up in floods.

They died after they were swept away by an overflowing wadi in the Wilayat of Jaalan Bani Bu Ali on Wednesday.

Search and rescue teams found six people. The authorities said that two people were still missing, and the search to find them continued.

The Directorate of Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority (CDAA) in South Al Sharqiyah Governorate announced that the two missing citizens were found dead.

The sultanate's meteorology office says rain will fall until Saturday, with Al Sharqiyah and Al Dakhiliyah governorates expected to bear the brunt.

Thunderstorms were accompanied by winds and hail in most of the country's governorates throughout Wednesday.

There were reports of rocks falling on to roads in Nizwa, which recorded the highest rainfall at 35mm until 6.30pm.

An Oman Met Office spokesman said that the strongest hailstorms were in Qurayat and Wadi Bani Ghafir in Al Rustaq.

Overflowing wadis cut off roads in Jaalan Bani Bu Hassan.

The CDAA called on citizens and residents to exercise caution and not risk crossing valleys, to stay away from low-lying places in heavy rain and to follow safety instructions.

Rain is expected to continue until Thursday or Friday, with northern governorates and areas adjacent to the Hajar Mountains experiencing the worst.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Dates for the diary

To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:

  • September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
  • October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
  • October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
  • November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
  • December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
  • February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
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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Updated: May 01, 2023, 9:44 AM