Coronavirus: newlyweds congratulated by Sheikh Mohammed for their ‘simple’ weddings

Newly-wed Emiratis praised for cutting-back on wedding costs shared letters of congratulations from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, in videos posted online.

In a video posted by Dubai Post on Friday, the couples are seen reading letters by him, after celebrating their simple wedding at home.

Last month, UAE officials said the rise of virtual weddings in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic offered a "golden opportunity" to slash marriage costs.

In the past, the topic of costly weddings among Emiratis has been raised at the Federal National Council.

“Congratulations on your marriage, may God bless you and grant you success in building a new Emirati family that is coherent, connected, full of love and familiarity, and displays the highest values and to be the core of goodness, blessing and giving in our society, God willing,” the letter said.

One of the newlywed brides said in the video that the letter from Sheikh Mohammed is worth “a million big weddings”.

“I have to express my happiness with the letter,” she said.

‎“Indeed, having a wedding at a big ballroom with many attendees and a Zaffa (a special wedding singing and dancing ceremony by a band or guests) will make me happy, but once I opened the envelope and saw the signature and name of Sheikh Mohammed, that’s worth a million big weddings."

Rise in virtual weddings a 'golden opportunity' for couples priced out of marriage

While some may have postponed their weddings, others have chosen to celebrate at home by hosting small parties with limited family members, and inviting guests to join virtually.

Some couples in the UAE have also tied the knot over Zoom weddings.

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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

The Prison Letters of Nelson Mandela
Edited by Sahm Venter
Published by Liveright

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