• A picture of the interior of the completed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games stadium. AFP
    A picture of the interior of the completed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games stadium. AFP
  • An aerial picture of the completed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games stadium. AFP
    An aerial picture of the completed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games stadium. AFP
  • The completed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games stadium pictured in the city. AFP
    The completed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games stadium pictured in the city. AFP
  • People at a viewing area look out at the completed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games stadium. AFP
    People at a viewing area look out at the completed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games stadium. AFP
  • People at a viewing area look out at the completed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games stadium. AFP
    People at a viewing area look out at the completed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games stadium. AFP
  • People at a viewing area look out at the completed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games stadium. AFP
    People at a viewing area look out at the completed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games stadium. AFP
  • People at a viewing area look out at the completed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games stadium. AFP
    People at a viewing area look out at the completed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games stadium. AFP
  • The completed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games stadium as seen from a distance. AFP
    The completed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games stadium as seen from a distance. AFP
  • The completed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games stadium as seen from a distance. AFP
    The completed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games stadium as seen from a distance. AFP
  • People look out a window at the completed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games stadium. AFP
    People look out a window at the completed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games stadium. AFP
  • The completed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games stadium as seen from a distance. AFP
    The completed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games stadium as seen from a distance. AFP
  • An aerial view of the completed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games stadium. AP Photo
    An aerial view of the completed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games stadium. AP Photo
  • The completed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games stadium. AP Photo
    The completed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games stadium. AP Photo
  • An aerial view of the completed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games stadium. AP Photo
    An aerial view of the completed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games stadium. AP Photo

Other Sport

Tokyo Olympics test event to be postponed: reports

Artistic swimming test event was scheduled to be held at the Tokyo Aquatics Center from March 4-7

AFP

January 31, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

The first Tokyo Olympics test event of 2021 will be postponed due to travel restrictions under Japan's coronavirus state of emergency, media reported Wednesday.

The artistic swimming test event - which will double as the sport's final qualifier for the Games, and is set to feature around 10 countries - was scheduled to be held at the Tokyo Aquatics Center from March 4-7.

It could now be held in April or May, according to Japanese media outlets citing sources close to the matter.

The International Swimming Federation (FINA) and Japan Swimming Federation (JASF) have determined travel restrictions on foreign nationals coming into Japan would make the event too difficult to organise, the reports said.

FINA and JASF did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and Tokyo 2020 organisers said they would not address "rumours".

Japan's borders are currently all but closed to foreign visitors, with Tokyo and other parts of the country under a state of emergency until at least February 7.

Athletes coming to Japan to prepare for the coronavirus-postponed 2020 Games had been exempt from the entry ban, but the government revoked the privilege earlier this month.

The artistic swimming event was set to be the first test event to be held with anti-virus measures in place.

In December, Tokyo 2020 chiefs unveiled a 53-page anti-virus rulebook that they say will allow the Games to be held safely without a vaccine, even if the pandemic is not yet under control.

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

The Brutalist

Director: Brady Corbet

Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn

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