Buhaira Corniche area in Sharjah. Sarah Dea / The National
Buhaira Corniche area in Sharjah. Sarah Dea / The National
Buhaira Corniche area in Sharjah. Sarah Dea / The National
Buhaira Corniche area in Sharjah. Sarah Dea / The National

Sharjah rents fall by as much as 44 per cent


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The commute may be a challenge, but the good news is that rents are falling in Sharjah and Ajman.  That's according to the latest report from property forum Dubizzle.

The Dubizzle report compared price trends from the fourth quarter of 2016 to the same period in 2017.

Three-bedroom properties in Bu Tina, Sharjah, experienced the largest decrease, with rents 44 per cent cheaper. Broadly, rents in Bu Tina fell by 17 per cent, followed by Al Nabba at 10 per cent and Al Nahda, Al Qasima and Al Ghuwair at 9 per cent.

In Ajman, there was a similar trend in terms of rent. Al Rawada 2 experienced the biggest decline at 12 per cent, followed by Al Rawada 1 and Ajman Industrial Area at 11 per cent, and Emirates City and Al Helio at 10 per cent. The largest decrease was for two-bedroom apartments in Al Rawada 1, which fell by 33 per cent.

“The northern emirates are still deemed as the most affordable ... in the UAE – where fluctuations in sale prices are a result of several factors, including a change in the law in 2014 that allows non-Arab expatriates to purchase property in Sharjah,” said Ann Boothello, a property expert at dubizzle property.

Sales prices, however, showed mixed changes over the year, with prices per square foot rising in some areas and declining in others.

Al Mamzar, Sharjah, saw the largest increase in price, followed by Al Khan with a 6 per cent increase, where prices average at Dh550 per sq ft. These were the only areas that experienced an increase in Sharjah, with coastal areas experiencing a fall in sale prices. For example, Al Majaz fell by four per cent and Al Qasba by 15 per cent, Dubizzle said.

In Ajman, Helio recorded an increase in sale price of 11 per cent, followed by Al Rumailah at 5 per cent and Al Rashidya at 3 per cent.

Ajman Industrial area experienced the largest drop in sale price of 22 per cent, followed by Al Jurf and Mushairef. The most affordable area to purchase a property in Ajman is Emirates City, with property prices averaging at Dh262 per sq ft.

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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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Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates

The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:

ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.

ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.

ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.

ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.

DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.

Signed

Geoffrey Arthur  Sheikh Zayed

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