Global Daily Tax News, Russia Removes UAE From Tax Blacklist, (Jan 5, 2026)

Russia has removed the United Arab Emirates from the nation's blacklist of low-tax or opaque territories.

The development follows the conclusion of a new double tax agreement between Russia and the UAE earlier in 2025 that caps the maximum rate of withholding tax that may be charged at source on dividends, interest, and royalties at 10 percent.

The agreement also includes BEPS minimum standard provisions, intended to counter treaty abuse, prevent the artificial avoidance of permanent establishment status, neutralize the effects of hybrid mismatch arrangements, and improve dispute resolution mechanisms. Further, the agreement features a preamble that states that the DTA is not intended to create opportunities for non-taxation or reduced taxation through tax evasion or avoidance, or treaty shopping.