American Belgians risk losing their Belgian bank account in 2020
As recently communicated in the Belgian media, Belgians with the American nationality risk losing their Belgian bank accounts because of the strict application of the U.S. FATCA-legislation. FATCA In application of the FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act), which is also applicable in relation to U.S. citizens residing in Belgium, financial institutions outside the U.S.
Tax dispute resolution – Belgium obtains positive peer review on its Mutual Agreement Procedure practice
Background Improving dispute resolution mechanisms as regards the application and interpretation of tax treaties is high on the agenda of the OECD and a number of countries. Under BEPS Action 14, there is a broad commitment to implement a minimum standard to strengthen the effectiveness and efficiency of Mutual Agreement Procedures (“MAP”). One of the
UK publishes draft legislation and guidance on digital services tax
The UK tax authorities on July 11 published draft legislation and draft guidance for a digital services tax (DST) to become effective April 1, 2020. These are available for public consultation until September 5, 2019. The DST is expected to apply by default at 2% of deemed UK revenues derived in excess of £25m, where
CJEU judgments on Swedish “final losses” cases
On 19 June 2019, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) issued its judgments in Memira Holding (C-607/17) and Holmen (C-608/17) on Swedish “final tax” losses. A brief explanation of the decision can be found via this link.
Belgian Ratification of the MLI: Ratification document deposited at OECD on 26 June 2019
On 6 June 2019, the legislative documents implementing the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent BEPS (also known as the MLI) were finally approved by all six legislative authorities in Belgium. The Belgian law ratified the full application of the MLI and its Explanatory Note, the reservations and notifications made by
Gentlemen’s agreement Belgium-Luxembourg: a new chapter for cross-border workers
On 16 May 2019 the Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel and the Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel have agreed to reopen negotiations regarding the double tax treaty concluded between Belgium and Luxembourg, with respect to the taxation of individuals working in a cross-border context. Belgian-Luxembourg double tax treaty In principle, employees who are tax resident
Fundamental changes to international tax structure ahead following OECD project on digitalisation of the economy
On 31 May 2019, the 129 members of the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) released a Programme of Work to develop a consensus solution to the tax challenges arising from the digitalisation of the economy. The Programme of Work was endorsed at the G20 meeting of finance ministers in Japan
Belgium implements new EU Tax Dispute Resolution Directive
On 2 May 2019, Belgium completed the implementation process of the Directive on tax dispute resolution mechanisms in the EU (Council Directive 2017/1852 of 10 October 2017). This enhanced procedure for resolving cross-border direct tax disputes puts taxpayer rights at the forefront, has a broader scope of application as well as an obligation for the
