Hunter Biden pleads not guilty to gun charges in federal court

Hunter Biden, son of US President Joe Biden, pleaded not guilty to firearms charges in federal court in Delaware on Tuesday.

The younger Mr Biden is accused of lying about his drug use when he purchased a firearm in October 2018. He has acknowledged that he struggled with drug addiction during that time.

It is illegal in the US to purchase firearms while addicted to a controlled substance.

Mr Biden was indicted after a plea deal concerning gun and tax charges with federal prosecutors fell apart over the summer.

Republicans at the time had insisted Mr Biden was getting a sweetheart deal and pointed to a double standard, contrasting the treatment the President's son was receiving to the many investigations into former president Donald Trump.

Mr Biden's indictment was brought by special counsel David Weiss.

He could also face tax charges in Washington or California, where he lives.

Congressional Republicans are looking to link the younger Mr Biden's business dealings to the President's through an impeachment inquiry. Thus far, no evidence has shown that the President has abused his power.

The younger Mr Biden has gone on the offensive in recent weeks, suing Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani and another legal representative for sharing his personal data after obtaining it from a computer repair shop. He also filed a lawsuit against the IRS.

He is charged with two counts of making false statements and an additional count of illegal gun possession.

He could face up to 25 years in prison if convicted.

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Matthew Weiner,
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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

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How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE

When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.