During a 90-day holiday in Abu Dhabi earlier this year, I discovered the Cobra Muay Thai club, which trains weekdays at Zayed Sports City. I've been doing all sorts of martial arts since I was kid, so I came into my first session confident - certain, even, that I'd kill it.
I left limping.
I've never taken part in a training like it - an hour of intense rounds of sprints and squats, push-ups and punches and kicks.
Yet I returned again and again, limping out of the stadium each time. Never mind that I was far inferior to the rest of the guys. Every time we'd spar, I'd somehow be partnered with the most physically abusive guy in the room. Midway into sessions - bruises on both my arms and legs growing more colossal with each hit - I'd small-talk to my partner (executioner) about his personal life, about compassion and charity, all in an attempt to domesticate him. Easy, boy!
I was having fun. There were no airs. Mat Dryden, the club's Aussie coach, was merciless but good-natured.
When I moved to Abu Dhabi last week, the first item on my to-do list was to get back to the club. Having had the chance to train with a judo team back home in the Philippines during the past three months, I knew I was prepared. I was in perfect shape. I was ready for some savagery. I was even wearing, in a kind of athletic frivolity, a new pair of shorts.
The first minutes entailed some powerful circuit training. I felt good. It was great to be back.
Then Mat asked us to run the stadium's entire perimeter - something I've done before.
Maybe some cosmic force wanted to teach me a lesson in humility? Because mere seconds after we commenced sprinting, my knees weakened, my eyesight blurred. Also, my shorts started falling down (they were too big).
After the run, we continued training inside the gym. While most people dash away from humiliation, I charge towards it. How could I give up on my supposed big return?
I soldiered on - forced by the ego that holds vanity firmly in place.
When the session ended, I sneaked out of the gym and dragged my body to the bathroom, feeling sick and crushed.
The measure of a civilisation is how it treats its weakest members. Limping out of the bathroom, I was assisted by one of the guys, who helped me out to the car park.
And yet, as I did my walk of shame, the only thought in my head was when I could come back to train again.
That night, Tony - a guy who attends training - posted on the club's Facebook page: "Punishment is not the word. I feel like my shins have been run over by a big heavy thing with hard things on it ... thrice!!!"
And how, Tony. And how.
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
