Important changes to the regime of specialised real estate investment funds (FIIS/GVBF)
The status of specialised real estate investment fund is organised by the Act of 19 April 2014 on alternative undertakings for collective investment (“AIFs”) and their managers and by the Royal Decree of 9 November 2016 on the specialised real estate investment fund (“FIIS/GVBF”). On 25 April 2019, a law containing various financial provisions (the
Authorization process for AIFMs and UCITS management companies
On 10 May 2019, the FSMA published Communication 2019_09 and a checklist for alternative investment fund managers (AIFMs) and undertakings for collective investment in transferable securities (UCITS) management companies. This checklist sets forth the information and the documents that need to be included in the application file for authorization as an AIFM or as a
New ‘60-day rule’ for pension funds: the practice note was published
Quick recap Since 1 January 2017, a specific anti-abuse prevents to benefit from a WHT exemption when the Belgian tax administration proves that the dividends concerned are linked to a (set of) legal act(s) that are not genuine and aimed, even incidentally, at benefiting from the WHT exemption concerned. Since 22nd January 2019, the fact
Belgian Tax on Savings Income (art. 19bis BITC): important clarification from the Minister of Finance for certain AIFs
In answer to a recent parliamentary question, the Minister of Finance has shared his view on the extension of the scope of the Belgian Tax on Savings Income (art. 19bis BITC) to certain AIFs. According to him, if they were acquired before 1st January 2018, units of funds which hold investments that are not sufficiently
Belgian Net Asset Tax and Withholding Tax: opportunities to reclaim for Luxembourg SICAV
In a decision dated 29 November 2018, the Court of Appeal of Brussels concluded that the Double Tax Treaty concluded between Belgium and Luxembourg (hereinafter the ‘DTT’) prevents the application of the Belgian Net Asset Tax (hereinafter the ‘NAT’) to a Luxembourg SICAV. As it confirms that a Luxembourg SICAV falls within the personal scope
First step in AIFMD review has been undertaken by European Commission
On 10 January 2019, the European Commission published a Report on the operation of the alternative investment fund managers Directive (AIFMD). This report is a first step in the AIFMD review process and will ultimately lead to the revision of the rules. While emphasizing that AIFMD has globally been a key point in the development of
Withholding tax evasion and avoidance: new measures announced
Last Friday, the Belgian Council of Ministers approved a draft bill of law aimed at fighting several situations of Belgian WHT (Withholding Tax) evasion and avoidance. The purpose of the new rules is to tackle improper WHT exemptions or refunds and facilitate the recovery of WHT in such cases. In a nutshell In a communication
Annulment of the Fairness Tax by the Constitutional Court – Practice Note issued
For recall, on 1 March 2018, the Constitutional Court annulled the Fairness Tax but decided to maintain its effects for the assessment years 2014 to 2018, except in case of redistributions of dividends (see our newsflash in this respect). On 3 September 2018, the Belgian tax administration released a Practice Note commenting the content and
