Circular letter – Temporary exemption for transferring Belgian wage taxes due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Recently, the Belgian tax authorities issued an administrative guideline in relation to the COVID-19 measure which was introduced by the law of July 15, 2020 containing various tax provisions on the partial exemption of transferring Belgian withholding taxes. Employers – who have made use of the temporally unemployment for at least one employee during a
Circular letter on the taxation regime of the collaborative economy: impact of the decision of the Constitutional Court
Circular letter on the taxation regime of the sharing economy: impact of the decision of the Constitutional Court On June 25, 2020, the Belgian Tax Administration issued a circular letter on the impact of the decision of the Constitutional Court in relation to the tax treatment of income from the sharing economy. As discussed in
Update COVID-19 and cross-border employment: agreements with Luxembourg and the Netherlands extended
We refer to our previous newsflashes regarding the specific agreements that Belgium has concluded with almost all of its neighboring countries (Germany, the Netherlands, France and Luxembourg). These agreements implement a mutual “force majeure tolerance” for cross border employees in relation to COVID-19 (travel) restrictions. A fiction is created in relation to the employment income
With the European borders gradually opening, will there be an impact on business travel, in the post pandemic era – that’s the question?
Business travel was thriving… And businesses saw opportunities in the ever growing globalisation. Millions of people were travelling around to conclude contracts, to network and to invest in their personal growth and development, resulting in a yearly incremental growth in the (business) travel industry. Business travel had become a habit for many… Until COVID-19 showed
Core agreement on supporting measures for the purchasing power and the sectors in difficulty
With the government measures taken to combat the COVID-19 virus being reduced gradually, the current health crisis seems to be getting under control for now (pending an anticipated second wave). However, the social and economic impact of the crisis will continue to exist for a long time, further affecting individuals and companies. The past three
Update COVID-19 and cross-border employment: agreements with Germany and the Netherlands extended
As announced in our previous newsflashes, Belgium has concluded several agreements with almost all of our neighboring countries (i.e. Germany, the Netherlands, France and Luxembourg). These agreements implement a mutual force majeure tolerance for cross-border employees in relation to the COVID-19 (travel) restrictions. Based on the specific Belgian-German agreement of 6 May 2020, if certain
Update – Fast Track Ruling – Homeworking (Expense Allowance)
We refer to our newsflash of 19 March on the implementation of the Fast Track Ruling (Fast Track Ruling – Homeworking, Expense Allowance). On 29 May, the Rulings Office (Dienst Voorafgaande Beslissingen in Fiscale Zaken/Services des Décisions anticipées en Matières Fiscales) published on its website a new COVID-19 application model document that has been slightly adjusted
Update COVID-19 and cross-border employment: agreement between Belgium and Luxembourg on home working
As highlighted in our previous newsflashes, Belgium has recently concluded mutual agreements with the Netherlands, Germany and France regarding a “force majeure” approach for cross-border workers. An agreement with Luxembourg was still missing. However, the Belgian government has now published the Belgian-Luxembourg agreement recognising the ‘force majeure’ character of the COVID-19 health crisis and introducing