Abu Dhabi to bring 60% of employees back to government offices from May 30

Abu Dhabi will bring 60 per cent of government employees back to offices from May 30.

The emirate’s Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee approved increasing workplace attendance for all employees and outsourced workers in government entities and companies.

The committee said on Tuesday employees aged 60 and above and those with chronic diseases and compromised immunity can continue working from home.

Remote working also applies to disabled employees, pregnant and nursing women and one of the parents of a child studying remotely in Year 10 or below, until the end of the current school term.

Employees in certain categories must be tested regularly and pay for their PCR tests.

Tests will be free for those who have vaccination exemption certificates.

Unvaccinated employees must be tested weekly while those who would have received their second dose at least 28 days prior will have to be tested monthly.

Vaccinated individuals who have active icons (gold star or letter E) on Alhosn app are exempt from these tests.

Office capacity limits were increased to 50 per cent in June 2020.

Working from home - in pictures

The majority of workers favour a 'hybrid' model that allows them to either work from home or in the office. Getty
Many employers said the main challenge is ensuring staff can show they are productive long-term
Workers in all sectors, from government to private, are finding their bosses are more open to full or part-time working from home
Working from home has its challenges, with the need for a proper work space and a routine - include healthy eating. Getty Images
Workplace experts say some people struggle to remain productive while working from home. Getty
And for some it leads to feelings of isolation. Bloomberg
Back to back Zoom meetings may be useful at checking up on employees , but can be time consuming and unproductive. Reuters

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

Tips from the expert

Dobromir Radichkov, chief data officer at dubizzle and Bayut, offers a few tips for UAE residents looking to earn some cash from pre-loved items.

Sellers should focus on providing high-quality used goods at attractive prices to buyers.
It’s important to use clear and appealing photos, with catchy titles and detailed descriptions to capture the attention of prospective buyers.
Try to advertise a realistic price to attract buyers looking for good deals, especially in the current environment where consumers are significantly more price-sensitive.
Be creative and look around your home for valuable items that you no longer need but might be useful to others.

The specs: 2018 Audi Q5/SQ5

Price, base: Dh183,900 / Dh249,000
Engine: 2.0L, turbocharged in-line four-cylinder / 3.0L, turbocharged V6
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic / Eight-speed automatic
Power: 252hp @ 5,000rpm / 354hp @ 5,400rpm
Torque: 370Nm @ 1,600rpm / 500Nm @ 1,370rpm
Fuel economy: combined 7.2L / 100km / 8.3L / 100km