US takes aim at IRGC cyber unit in latest sanctions

The US on Tuesday announced sanctions on two companies and four people linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' cyber unit.

Mehrsam Andisheh Saz Nikp (Masn), Dadeh Afzar Arman and others have been accused of acting as fronts for campaigns launched on behalf of the IRGC's cyber unit.

Masn is also alleged to have been involved in a multiyear campaign against the Treasury and other US government agencies, as well as companies, the department said.

“Iranian malicious cyber actors continue to target US companies and government entities in a co-ordinated, multipronged campaign intended to destabilise our critical infrastructure and cause harm to our citizens,” Brian Nelson, undersecretary of the Treasury, said in a statement.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement that the US “will not tolerate malicious cyber activities victimising US companies”.

The US Department of Justice and the FBI also charged the four sanctioned Iranians over their alleged involvement in a lengthy cyber campaign against US companies.

The sanctioned people are accused of attacking the State Department, defence contractors and two companies in New York.

Tuesday's sanctions are the latest announced by Washington against Iran and its allies over malign and destabilising activity in the Middle East, as well as support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Last week, the US and UK announced a sweeping set of sanctions against Tehran's drone programme after Iran's retaliatory missile and drone attack against Israel this month.

Tehran blamed Israel for an attack on an Iranian consulate building in Damascus on April 1 that killed 13 people, including Brig Gen Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior commander in the IRGC's Quds Force.

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Short-term let permits explained

Homeowners and tenants are allowed to list their properties for rental by registering through the Dubai Tourism website to obtain a permit.

Tenants also require a letter of no objection from their landlord before being allowed to list the property.

There is a cost of Dh1,590 before starting the process, with an additional licence fee of Dh300 per bedroom being rented in your home for the duration of the rental, which ranges from three months to a year.

Anyone hoping to list a property for rental must also provide a copy of their title deeds and Ejari, as well as their Emirates ID.

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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