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Federal Tax Authority Issues New Guide on Scope and Registration for Top-up Tax on Multinational Enterprises

UAE FTA guidance on Pillar Two top-up tax scope and registration—critical for multinational groups' compliance with UAE's new tax regime.

uae fta · 30 sep

12698 3 nov khaleej times UAE capital markets regulator plans investor protection fund as it steps up safeguards The UAE's securities regulator is establishing an investor protection fund that will reshape disclosure requirements and market operations for listed companies.

12683 2 nov grant thornton Insights into IFRS 18 Big 4 technical paper on IFRS 18 FX classification—a live implementation issue for year-end 2024 reporting. ▪ read

12682 2 nov grant thornton Insights into IFRS 18 Big 4 technical paper resolving a common FX classification question under the new standard. Material for preparers implementing IFRS 18. ▪ read

12562 1 nov the national UAE updates e-invoicing penalties for businesses The UAE is updating e-invoicing penalties and requires businesses to implement compliant systems by October 2027. ▪ read

12498 31 oct gulf news UAE limits e-invoicing fines at Dh50,000, removes Dh1,000 daily penalty—how it works now FTA revised e-invoicing penalty structure—material compliance cost impact for UAE VAT-registered entities. Affects invoice management procedures and compliance risk. ▪ read

12450 30 oct the national UAE fines foreign bank branch Dh200 million for breaching money laundering laws CBUAE enforcement action against a banking peer for AML/CFT failures; signals compliance standards and personal accountability exposure relevant to your own institution's control framework.

12445 30 oct khaleej times Dh200 million fine: UAE penalises foreign bank branch for violating money laundering laws UAE enforcement action against financial crime compliance failure. Relevant precedent for assessing AML control adequacy and regulator's interpretation of breach materiality.

12380 29 oct sec Two Entities Charged in $130 Million Fraud Scheme That Used False SEC Filings to Boost Investor Confidence Federal authorities charged two entities for a $130 million fraud involving falsified SEC filings that misled investors, highlighting disclosure compliance risks.

12296 29 oct frc FRC strengthens audit quality with revised standards on assessing risks associated with non-compliance with laws and regulations FRC updated audit standards for assessing legal and regulatory compliance risks, helping organizations strengthen their audit oversight and quality.

12282 28 oct the national Dubai regulator fines Moody's Middle East unit Dh2.15m over data breaches DFSA enforcement action against a regulated entity for controls failure; sets precedent on data-protection obligations for financial services firms operating in DIFC.

12110 27 oct frc Sanctions against HW Fisher LLP and Simon Mott-Cowan UK audit firm enforcement case. Establishes precedent on auditor conduct and FRC's enforcement stance; useful for understanding regulator expectations on similar issues.

12093 26 oct the national Dubai regulator fines former financier $210,000 over false and misleading statements DFSA enforcement action demonstrates regulator expectations on fitness-and-propriety disclosures and document production; relevant precedent for compliance officers reviewing staff authorisation records.

12074 26 oct khaleej times Dubai fines investor $210,000 for denying fraud cases, misleading authority DFSA enforcement case illustrates regulator approach to investor misconduct and obstructive conduct during investigation — useful precedent for compliance and controls framework design.

11999 25 oct khaleej times Dh5,000 fine a month: UAE firms have 5 days to appoint e-invoicing provider New compliance deadline and penalty for e-invoicing provider appointment. UAE firms must act within days to avoid monthly fines. ▪ read

11832 22 oct the national UAE regulator reviews AIX Financial Consultations amid investor claims and payment concerns UAE regulator (CMA) enforcement review of a regulated wealth manager over payment failures; informs judgement on investment intermediary oversight and related-party risk in portfolio valuations.

11665 21 oct gulf news UAE VAT rules change staff expense claims: What businesses need to review UAE VAT rule change on staff expense claims affects input tax recovery treatment for many corporates; review compliance implications.

11579 20 oct the national UAE tax rules: What businesses can claim for employee expenses UAE FTA Decision 17/2026 now clarifies deductibility of employee expenses under corp tax and VAT—directly affects benefit plan design and tax compliance for UAE employers. ▪ read

11525 19 oct khaleej times UAE amends e-invoicing regulations to reduce operational burden on businesses UAE e-invoicing regulation amendment affecting operational compliance. Material for UAE entities; direct impact on invoicing processes and tax reporting obligations. ▪ read

11523 19 oct the national UAE amends e-invoicing regulations as implementation deadline draws closer The UAE simplified its e-invoicing rules before the January 2027 deadline, exempting internal transactions for two years and easing compliance burdens for businesses. ▪ read

11404 17 oct esma ESMA finalises the review of guidelines on the delay in disclosure of inside information ESMA expanded the legitimate grounds for delaying MAR disclosures—directly affects listed-company reporting obligations and insider-dealing compliance frameworks across EU jurisdictions.

11251 15 oct the national DFSA fines immigration firm Hayman-Woodward Dh1.67m for unlicensed services Dubai's financial regulator fined immigration firm Hayman-Woodward 1.67 million dirhams for operating without proper licensing, demonstrating enforcement priorities in combating financial crime risks.

11121 14 oct esma ESMA sets out 2026 European Common Enforcement Priorities European regulators will intensify audits on restructuring and sustainability disclosures in 2026, requiring listed companies to adjust their financial reporting now. ▪ read

11053 13 oct journal of accountancy AI and the audit: AICPA publishes practice aid to assist auditors AICPA practice aid on auditor considerations for client and firm AI use — directional guidance for audit quality and risk assessment.

11004 13 oct gulf news UAE scraps e-invoicing pre-approval ahead of October deadline: Here's why FTA removes e-invoicing pre-approval step before October deadline. Direct compliance relief affecting all UAE corporate tax filers. ▪ read

10756 9 oct the national Audit firm fined $100,000 by Abu Dhabi's ADGM regulator ADGM enforcement action against audit firm for ISA non-compliance and audit quality failures; signals regulator expectations for auditors in UAE financial centre. ▪ read

10619 8 oct frc Closure of investigation regarding the audit of Joules Group plc by Deloitte LLP Deloitte's concluded investigation into Joules Group's audit may influence how companies assess audit risks and quality standards.

10618 8 oct frc Sanctions against Deloitte LLP UK audit regulator enforcement action against a Big 4 firm; relevant precedent for audit quality standards and firm compliance regardless of jurisdiction.

10119 1 oct the national DFSA fines Vault Wealth Dh401,000 for providing unauthorised transactions The DFSA fined Vault Wealth Dh401,000 for conducting unauthorized financial services, reinforcing that separate DFSA approval is required even for companies licensed by other regulators. ▪ read

10024 1 oct ias plus FRC publishes thematic review findings on intangible value drivers and on financial instruments FRC thematic review findings on intangible assets and financial instruments provide enforcement intelligence on common reporting weaknesses; applicable to international preparers managing similar compliance risks.

9985 30 sep uae fta Federal Tax Authority Calls On Persons Subject To e-Invoicing to Comply with the Prescribed Legal Deadlines and Avoid Administrative Penalties FTA enforcement reminder on e-invoicing compliance deadlines. UAE-specific VAT/tax obligation affecting Group reporting; regional uplift applies.

9749 28 sep uae fta Federal Tax Authority: 30 September 2026 Is The Deadline For Filing Tax Returns and Paying Corporate Tax for FY 2025 Companies in the UAE must file their 2025 corporate taxes by September 30, 2026, or face compliance penalties. ▪ read

9474 24 sep the national Iran proposes ceasefire road map, $2.45 billion pledged for Gaza, and Syria tourism doubles UAE Central Bank enforcement action against Bank Melli Iran for AML non-compliance — relevant precedent for sanctions and regulatory risk assessment at a UAE-based conglomerate.

9409 23 sep the national UAE Central Bank bars Bank Melli Iran from conducting transactions CBUAE enforcement action barring Iranian bank operations in UAE — directly affects compliance obligations for any UAE entity with Iran exposure or correspondent banking relationships. ▪ read

8498 11 sep the national VAT in the UAE: New October regulation will change how you manage compliance New UAE VAT rules require businesses to verify supplier documents before claiming input tax, affecting how all companies process invoices. ▪ read

8477 11 sep frc Investigations into the conduct of an individual accountant and regarding the audits of State Oil Limited (part of the Prax Group) FRC enforcement action against Big 4 auditor and individual accountant over financing-arrangement audits; signals regulator scrutiny of accounting treatments in leveraged-company contexts.

8473 10 sep journal of accountancy FASB updates investment company fair value reporting standard FASB clarifies fair value measurement for restricted equity securities in investment company portfolios—relevant for portfolio valuation and disclosure.

8265 8 sep khaleej times UAE tightens VAT rules to curb tax evasion and clarify compliance UAE VAT enforcement tightening directly affects compliance obligations for UAE entities. Requires review of current VAT practices. ▪ read

8106 6 sep khaleej times UAE sets out how crypto payments must be converted to dirhams for VAT UAE FTA crypto-to-dirham conversion guidance for VAT: operational detail that affects reporting of cryptopayment transactions in a UAE corporate context. ▪ read

7706 1 sep ias plus EFRAG asks for a delay of the IFRS 17 annual cohort exemption review EFRAG delay request on IFRS 17 cohort exemption review signals potential relief or reprieve for insurers managing annual compliance cycles; affects implementation timetable.

7703 1 sep ias plus IVSC perspectives paper on estimating valuation adjustments for financial instruments IVSC valuation adjustment guidance addresses measurement of financial instruments under IFRS 13—relevant for fair-value accounting and derivative hedging. ▪ read