Sharjah authorities are clamping down on massage parlours that use "indecent advertising". Pawan Singh / The National
Sharjah authorities are clamping down on massage parlours that use "indecent advertising". Pawan Singh / The National
Sharjah authorities are clamping down on massage parlours that use "indecent advertising". Pawan Singh / The National
Sharjah authorities are clamping down on massage parlours that use "indecent advertising". Pawan Singh / The National

UAE

Courts

Sharjah clamps down on massage parlours using 'indecent' advertisements

Police also step up measures against beggars and street vendors

Patrick Ryan
Patrick Ryan

May 30, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Authorities in Sharjah have announced an operation against massage parlours using “indecent advertisements” and will also tackle beggars, fugitive workers and street vendors.

The emirate’s Consultative Council has approved a number of measures proposed by Sharjah Police.

The new policies will see massage parlours being penalised for the use of “indecent advertisements” to “preserve the privacy of society”.

Beggars and illegal street vendors are also being targeted as part of the new campaign in Sharjah.

The measures include the construction of a rehabilitation centre for drug addicts to help to improve treatment and recovery programmes.

Delivery riders will also receive training on the importance of safe driving to reduce the number of accidents on Sharjah's roads.

Police will also liaise with the emirate’s roads authority to introduce smart systems to monitor traffic congestion and identify accident hot spots.

Smart systems will be placed in Sharjah police cars to help to increase efficiency in responding to accidents.

The local ambulance service will also be developed in accordance with best international practices.

Dubai crackdown on massage centres

In February, authorities in Dubai stepped up action against unlicensed massage centres that draw customers through business cards placed on cars.

A Dubai Police campaign led to hundreds of arrests and the disconnection of more than 3,000 phone numbers.

Dubai Police warned the public about the dangers of visiting unlicensed massage centres. Aside from facing legal action, the force said people run the risk of being robbed or blackmailed.

Over the past three years, police in the emirate arrested 2,025 violators, 1,643 of whom were charged with breaching public decency, while 165 were detained for printing and distributing the cards.

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

Teri%20Baaton%20Mein%20Aisa%20Uljha%20Jiya
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirectors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Amit%20Joshi%20and%20Aradhana%20Sah%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECast%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Shahid%20Kapoor%2C%20Kriti%20Sanon%2C%20Dharmendra%2C%20Dimple%20Kapadia%2C%20Rakesh%20Bedi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here
While you're here

Turkish Ladies

Various artists, Sony Music Turkey 

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Akeed

Based: Muscat

Launch year: 2018

Number of employees: 40

Sector: Online food delivery

Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception 

Dates for the diary

To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:

  • September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
  • October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
  • October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
  • November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
  • December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
  • February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
Updated: August 22, 2022, 9:40 AM
UAESharjahRoad safety