Water & Shark Legal

03/09/2026

28/08/2026

Some bonds grow with time, strengthened by trust, care and the promise of always standing by one another.

This Raksha Bandhan, Water & Shark celebrates the relationships that remind us of the importance of protection, responsibility and togetherness.

May this beautiful occasion strengthen the bonds we cherish and bring happiness, prosperity and warmth to every family.

Wishing everyone a Happy Raksha Bandhan. 🪢✨

𝙂𝙡𝙤𝙗𝙖𝙡 𝘼𝙙𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙤𝙧𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙂𝙡𝙤𝙗𝙖𝙡 𝘾𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙯𝙚𝙣𝙨™
𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩, 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚, 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙧™

27/08/2026

The UAE’s crypto ecosystem is entering a new phase of global transparency.

With the UAE adopting the OECD’s Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF), implementation is scheduled for 2027, followed by the first international exchange of crypto-asset information in 2028. Importantly, CARF introduces a reporting and information-sharing framework, not a new UAE crypto tax.

For investors, tax residency, accurate records and the distinction between personal investment and business activity will become increasingly important. For crypto businesses and service providers, the focus shifts toward reporting readiness, customer due diligence and stronger compliance systems.

As the UAE strengthens its position as a globally connected digital-asset hub, CARF brings international transparency and innovation closer together.

At Water & Shark, we help crypto investors and businesses navigate tax residency, UAE Corporate Tax, structuring and CARF readiness.

Read the full blog: https://www.waterandshark.com/blog/uae-signs-carf-agreement-crypto-asset-reporting-to-begin-in-2027-first-exchanges-expected-in-2028

𝙂𝙡𝙤𝙗𝙖𝙡 𝘼𝙙𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙤𝙧𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙂𝙡𝙤𝙗𝙖𝙡 𝘾𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙯𝙚𝙣𝙨™
𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩, 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚, 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙧™

20/08/2026

DIFC has opened its Prescribed Company regime to a broader global audience.

The 2026 amendments remove the previous nexus and qualifying-purpose requirements, allowing applicants to consider a DIFC Prescribed Company irrespective of their connection to the DIFC, UAE, or wider region.

Alongside greater accessibility comes a stronger compliance framework, with most Prescribed Companies now required to appoint a DFSA-licensed Corporate Service Provider. Existing structures also have a six-month transition period to align with the amended requirements.

For family groups, investors, and international businesses, the changes create new possibilities for holding, financing, real estate, intellectual property, and broader structuring arrangements.

At Water & Shark, we help clients assess whether a DIFC Prescribed Company aligns with their wider cross-border structuring objectives.

Read the full blog:- https://www.waterandshark.com/blog/dubai-international-financial-centre-difc-enacts-amended-prescribed-company-regulations--2026

𝙂𝙡𝙤𝙗𝙖𝙡 𝘼𝙙𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙤𝙧𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙂𝙡𝙤𝙗𝙖𝙡 𝘾𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙯𝙚𝙣𝙨™
𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩, 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚, 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙧™

13/08/2026

China’s offshore trust landscape is entering a significant new phase.

The 2026 reforms introduce a clearer framework for how offshore trusts interact with China’s Individual Income Tax system, addressing asset contributions, trust income, distributions, disclosure requirements, and tax responsibilities across the trust lifecycle.

For internationally connected Chinese families, entrepreneurs, and business owners, offshore trusts continue to offer valuable pathways for succession planning, asset protection, family governance, and international investment. The priority now is ensuring these structures remain commercially purposeful, transparent, and aligned with the evolving tax framework.

At Water & Shark, we help globally mobile families review and structure cross-border wealth arrangements with a focus on protection, preservation, compliance, and long-term continuity.

Read the full blog :- https://www.waterandshark.com/blog/china-offshore-trust-reforms-a-new-era-for-international-wealth-planning

𝙂𝙡𝙤𝙗𝙖𝙡 𝘼𝙙𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙤𝙧𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙂𝙡𝙤𝙗𝙖𝙡 𝘾𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙯𝙚𝙣𝙨™
𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩, 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚, 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙧™

12/08/2026

UAE Corporate Tax compliance is becoming increasingly defined by how the rules apply in practice.

The FTA’s Private Clarifications provide valuable insight into the application of Corporate Tax across Free Zones, tax groups, foreign businesses, family foundations, exemptions, and other complex arrangements.

For businesses operating in the UAE, these clarifications reinforce the importance of aligning structures, transactions, substance, and documentation with the evolving Corporate Tax framework.

At Water & Shark, we help businesses navigate UAE Corporate Tax with a strategic approach to structuring, compliance, and long-term planning.

Read the full blog: https://www.waterandshark.com/blog/one-person-two-tax-systems-federal-state-fincen-compliance-for-us-residents

𝙂𝙡𝙤𝙗𝙖𝙡 𝘼𝙙𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙤𝙧𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙂𝙡𝙤𝙗𝙖𝙡 𝘾𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙯𝙚𝙣𝙨™
𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩, 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚, 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙧™

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