Reduced VAT Rate for Home Demolition-Reconstruction Extended, Excludes Developers
The Belgian government has announced an extension of the reduced 6% VAT rate for the demolition and reconstruction of homes. However, this benefit will now exclusively apply to individual homeowners. Developers, who previously enjoyed this rate under certain conditions for the sale of apartments and homes, will revert to the standard VAT rate of 21%
VAT & Digital Services: European Commission on NFTs and Implications from OnlyFans EUCJ Case
VAT Treatment of NFTs: The European Commission has published Working Paper 1060, offering initial insights into the VAT treatment of non-fungible tokens (NFTs). The document aims to collect input from Member States to establish a consensus on NFTs’ VAT treatment. It emphasizes the complexity of NFTs, highlighting the following points: NFT VAT treatment necessitates case-by-case
VAT deduction based on direct attribution of costs: new rules as from 2023
In Belgium, the pro rata based on turnover is the general VAT deduction method for mixed VAT payers. Beside the prorata, the direct attribution method can also be applied. This method is widely used in the financial, real estate, not–for-profit and public sector. In practice, most corporate groups also use this method for their activities
VAT fixed establishment – Positive decision of the ECJ in the “Berlin Chemie” case
The issue with parent-subsidiary VAT fixed establishment The concept of VAT fixed establishment has recently been the source of litigation in several Member States. In those cases, tax authorities argue that a subsidiary is the VAT fixed establishment of its parent company. In Belgium, we have seen this growing trend whereby the Belgian VAT authorities
Belgium to abolish the cost-sharing VAT exemption for Financial Services
Belgium will abolish the VAT exemption for cost-sharing associations (independent groups of persons) in the financial sector (banking – insurance). A draft law has been approved. This position follows the judgments of the CJEU cases DNB Banka (C-326/15) and Aviva (C-605/15) of 21 September 2017. The benefit of the exemption will be abolished as of
VAT group : VAT on services provided by head-office to fixed establishment / branch
The CJEU confirmed the application of the reverse-Skandia principle: a branch is a separate VAT taxable person from its head-office when the head-office is a member of a VAT group in another EU Member State (CJEU, C-812/19, 11 March 2021). This approach was already applied in Belgium. However, some EU Member States were not recognizing
VAT due on Aladdin services, BlackRock VAT case released – A new challenge for fund asset managers!
The VAT exemption applicable to the management of Special Investment Funds (Article 135(1)(g) of the VAT Directive) raises several issues. Those issues are related to both the concept of “management” and the “type” of funds that benefit from the exemption. The VAT Committee responded to some questions in 2017 but these concepts are certainly not
First administrative comments on VAT on rent published!
The VAT administration published today the first commentary (Frequently Asked Questions) on the letting with VAT that came into force on 1 January 2019. For buildings that are under construction, already marketed and eligible for the optional VAT regime, it is essential to monitor the practical issues. The key points addressed in the FAQ’s are
