The UAE Ministry of Finance announced the issuance of Ministerial Decision No. (131), which introduces amendments to certain provisions of the Ministerial Decision on Corporate and Enterprise Taxation. This amendment extends the period during which small businesses can benefit from the exemption until tax periods ending on December 31, 2029.
This decision is part of the ministry's continuous efforts to support startups and small enterprises, strengthen the business environment, and provide entrepreneurs with opportunities to develop and expand their businesses. Thus, the UAE's position as a leading global investment destination is reinforced.
Furthermore, the decision confirms the UAE's commitment to creating a competitive tax system that promotes sustainable economic development, encourages compliance, and aligns with international best practices.
According to the adopted decision, the threshold set by Ministerial Decision No. (73) of 2023 will apply to tax periods commencing after June 1, 2023, and will extend to subsequent tax periods ending before December 31, 2029.
The small business exemption allows Taxpayers with an annual income not exceeding 3 million dirhams (the established threshold) to benefit from simplified compliance requirements under the Corporate Tax, provided they meet the conditions and requirements outlined in the relevant legislation.
Although almost seven months have passed, 2026 still offers many events for residents of the United Arab Emirates. With the start of the second half of the year, a number of significant changes and service improvements are expected that will affect the daily lives of many citizens of the country.
Increased connectivity between emirates is expected due to the expansion of Etihad Rail passenger services. On June 30, 2026, a historic event took place in the UAE—the launch of the first Etihad Rail passenger train between Fujairah and Abu Dhabi. This major project will continue its development in the remainder of 2026 and the first quarter of 2027.
The current schedule plans for the opening of seven new stations this year: Dubai and Al Dhaid stations on September 30; Zayed City and Liwa (Al Dafra) stations on November 30; and Al Sila, Al Dannah, and Al Mirfa (Al Dafra) stations on December 20. According to the current timetable, the Sharjah University station will open in March 2027.
Although most of the long public holidays of 2026, such as Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr, have already passed, there are still two opportunities for rest this year. The first holiday falls in August and is dedicated to the birthday of Prophet Muhammad, which is celebrated on the 12th of Rabi' al-Awwal. Since the Islamic calendar is lunar, the exact date depends on the sighting of the moon in Hijri in August, and the vacation may be either Tuesday, August 25, or Wednesday, August 26.
According to UAE regulations, some public holidays can be moved to the beginning or end of the week if they fall on a weekday, which could potentially provide residents with long weekends in August.
Furthermore, the UAE plans to celebrate its 55th United Arab Emirates Day on Wednesday, December 2. Similar to the Prophet's birthday, there is a possibility of the date being postponed, which could lead to long weekends from Friday, December 4, to Sunday, December 6.
Art lovers await a pleasant event in 2026: the long-awaited Guggenheim Museum will open on December 11, 2026. The museum, designed by the late Frank Gehry laureate, is located in the cultural district in Saadiyat Island, where land meets sea. It will be another addition to Saadiyat's growing profile as a cultural center, joining the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum, Abu Dhabi Natural History Museum, and teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi.
It is worth noting that two museums, the Zayed National Museum and the Natural History Museum, also opened in the Saadiyat cultural district in November 2025.
A tourism initiative has been launched in Dubai that allows residents to receive discounts on hotels and restaurants worth over 3000 dirhams when inviting friends and family to visit the emirate. The 'Dubai Invite' promotion will run until October 31, giving residents three more months to use the benefits. As previously reported by Khaleej Times, eligible residents can nominate up to five visitors arriving in Dubai during this period. However, rewards can be used until December 31, 2026, unless individual offers specify a different validity period.
Individuals holding a valid UAE residency permit for at least three years who wish to travel during the summer holidays and before October 1 of this year can now visit Montenegro without prior visa application. This temporary exemption was announced by the government of Montenegro. This visa waiver applies only to those arriving in Montenegro directly from the UAE and does not extend to travelers transiting through other countries.
Two days ago, a new attraction, Kryptonite Collider, opened at Warner Bros. World Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. This is the first permanent new feature in the indoor theme park since its opening in 2018. This DC-themed attraction places guests inside the fictional villain's 'Everimen Project' laboratory, where they board a 32-seat ride combining spinning motion, lighting, sound, and visual effects, all centered around Superman's only known weakness—Kryptonite.
The park plans to open its next attraction, 'Superman Up and Away,' a flying roller coaster, in 2028. Like the Kryptonite Collider, this attraction will be located in the Metropolis zone.
