In 1983, when she was at the peak of her popularity, British singer, model and actress Jane Birkin had an encounter with Jean-Louis Dumas, the chief executive of Hermes – in the first-class cabin of a flight from Paris to London.
Birkin was carrying a wicker purse, but its contents, including (or so rumour has it) an Hermes diary, spilt out over the plane floor when she attempted to place it in the overhead locker. As Dumas began to assist her, Birkin complained she was unable to find a suitable leather weekend bag that would hold all the essentials.
And the rest is fashion history. A year later, Hermes released its first Birkin – the ultimate It-bag tailored specifically to the needs of the ultimate It-girl. This first run was made of supple leather, in black.
Jane Birkin, who died on Sunday at the age of 76 in her adopted home of Paris, was known for her classic fashion choices, a wardrobe that was a study in French chic and understated elegance – quite like the handbag she inspired.
However, Birkin was not overtly thrilled with her namesake bag. For one, she realised she was carrying too many things in it, and even once joked: "They're heavy ... I'm going to have an operation for tendonitis in the shoulder."
Then, in 2015, the singer asked Hermes to no longer use her name for its famed bag on the back of an exposé by Peta on the company's treatment of crocodiles and alligators.
Hermes since went on to clarify that the incident identified by the animal welfare group was an "isolated irregularity", and that Birkin was "satisfied" by the measures taken by Hermes.
The leather conundrum aside, and whether or not the boxy, oversized, curiously casual proportions of the Birkin are to your taste, there is no denying that it is the rock star of the handbag world. Its story, price tag, celebrity owners and much-discussed waiting list have ensured that it is entrenched in fashion history.
All of this is underscored by the fact that Hermes is notoriously tight-lipped about it – no one will go on record to say how much a new Birkin costs, how long one would have to wait to get one, and how many bags are actually made each year.
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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
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
