ABU DHABI // In preparation for their busiest day of the year, barbers opened early on Wednesday to accommodate procrastinators and those seeking last-minute touch-ups before they embarked on Eid festivities.
“We opened at four this morning because we had so many reservations this was the only way to get people a shave and cut,” said Shaker Ke, who works at Lucy Saloon in Abu Dhabi.
Launderettes experienced much of the same, with some having to work until early morning on Wednesday to ensure they met promises.
“They come in at 9pm, imagine, and demanded I finish before midnight,” said Miquel, who gave only his first name. “Impossible.”
His launderette in Khalidiya was working on bleaching, cleaning and crisping kanduras, suits and abayas until 2am.
Those with foresight were braced for the Eid rush and prepared their laundry days before, as well as booking a slot for that all-important haircut.
“I booked my appointment a few days ago but I was pleasantly surprised that the barber was not busy,” said Faisal Al Hammadi, the 31-year-old Emirati co-founder of Slices eaterie.
“It’s the first time I’ve gone to this barber. Guess I should keep this one a secret so people don’t rush there next Eid.”
Mr Al Hammadi began his day at 6am. “I started with the Eid prayer, then went to wish the sheikhs Eid Mubarak with my father and brother,” he said.
“Then I joined the extended family to pass by our relatives’ and friends’ houses.
“We went to eight houses in three hours. We barely had time to drink our tea until someone yelled, ‘on to the next’.
“Some of the families we visited were to honour long family friendships; basically our grandfathers were close fiends, and it’s nice to be in the third generation and be able to foster those relationships knowing the history the families have.”
nalwasmi@thenational.ae
The biog
Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia
Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins
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Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.
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
