Knowledge Center

The UAE Federal Tax Authority (“FTA”) has issued a Public Clarification on the meaning of “director” and “officer” under the UAE Corporate Tax Law — an important development for businesses assessing Connected Person transactions under Article 36.

The UAE’s tax landscape has moved decisively beyond its initial adoption phase and is now entering a stage of data-driven maturity.

Think back to the last time a partner or service provider truly impressed you. Chances are, it was not a grand, choreographed gesture. It was likely something small: a proactive message when you least expected it, a specific detail they remembered from a previous conversation, or the grace with which they handled an unexpected hurdle.

The pace at which the UAE’s data protection environment is maturing should concentrate the mind of any General Counsel, CFO, or Group Compliance Officer overseeing operations across multiple UAE jurisdictions. The Federal Personal Data Protection Law is in force and its Executive Regulations had not been fully implemented as of the date of this article. The DIFC amended its data protection law in July 2025, raising financial penalties and introducing a private right of action that allows data subjects to bring compensation claims directly before the DIFC Courts. The ADGM regime carries administrative fines of up to USD 28 million. The cost of treating this landscape as a future consideration is rising.

Ask most business owners what they think of debt, and you will hear a familiar set of words: burden, risk, exposure, constraint. For many, borrowing is something to be minimised, retired early, and spoken about with caution. Finance manuals and conservative advisors have long reinforced this instinct, treating leverage as a liability on the balance sheet of prudent management. While fiscal discipline is essential, a blanket refusal to utilize debt is more than just a missed opportunity; it is a strategic error that can stifle a company's ability to scale, innovate, and remain competitive. Debt is a tool & like any tool, its value is measured on how well it is used. A hammer can build a house or break a window. Similarly, Debt can create value or destroy it. The difference, in every case, is the judgment of the person deploying it. 

As we move into 2026, I am delighted to share an important update on Kreston Global’s progress, performance, and future direction. This past year has been one of profound growth for our network — growth that is deeply connected to our ongoing commitment to support clients with high quality, internationally coordinated audit, tax, and advisory services. It has also been a year in which more independent firms than ever before have chosen to join our network, further strengthening our presence in key global markets and expanding the expertise available to you.