Reporting obligation for payments to tax havens: impact for payments to Cyprus and Luxembourg
Companies subject to Belgian corporate income tax (residents or non-residents) have to declare direct or indirect payments exceeding EUR 100,000 to recipients established in ‘tax havens’. For these purposes, a tax haven is defined as a country: with no or low taxation (i.e. the nominal standard tax rate is less than 10%); that, for the
Belgium: agreement on tax shift
On 23 July 2015, the Belgian federal government reached an agreement on the so-called “tax shift”. The tax shift is mainly aimed at i) reducing the tax burden on labour, ii) improving the competitiveness of Belgian companies and iii) creating more jobs. It involves the introduction of a number of new tax measures that may impact
Federal Public Department Finance launches new centres for ‘large companies’
‘Large companies’ The Belgian government has changed the way tax audits and dispute resolution for large companies are being organised. More in particular, 7 new centres for ‘large companies’ and a centre for ‘large companies management and specialised tax audits’ are set up as from 1 July 2015. 7 centres for ‘large companies’ The 7 new
Non-Resident companies must file Belgian non-resident tax return electronically
As of assessment year 2015 the non-resident corporate income tax return must also be filed electronically in Belgium (BizTax application). The due date for the filing is set at 30 September 2015. No paper tax return form or other communication will be sent out to the non-resident companies this year to inform or remind them of
European Commission takes the next step in its EU-wide State aid review of tax ruling practices
On 8 June 2015, the European Commission announced its next steps in its EU-wide State aid review of Member States’ tax ruling practices. The European Commission states in its press release that, following the December 2014 enquiry, Estonia and Poland refused to respond in full detail to the information request. Therefore, the Commission has now
European Commission publishes decision to investigate the Belgian excess profit provision
The non-confidential version of the European Commission’s opening decision announcing the formal investigation into the Belgian Excess Profit provision embodied in section 185 §2, b) of the Income Tax Code was published in the EU’s Official Journal on 5 June 2015. Beneficiaries of excess profit rulings are requested to submit their comments at the latest one
Cayman Tax: tax transparency for ‘legal constructions’
Currently, a bill of law is discussed at the level of the Belgian federal government concerning the so-called Cayman Tax. In principle, the new rule would be applicable as from assessment year 2016 (i.e. income collected during calendar year 2015). The Cayman Tax is a tax on certain income that is derived, through legal constructions,
Investment deduction percentages for assessment year 2016 published
On 27 April 2015, the new percentages for investment deduction, applicable to assessment year 2016, were published in the Belgian Official Gazette. The percentages for assessment year 2016 have not changed compared to assessment year 2015. Here is a summary: 1. One-shot investment deduction Private individuals: 13.5% for investments in patents and assets that aim to promote R&D
