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
Belgian Ratification of the MLI: a Game Changer in the International Tax Field
On 6 May 2019, the legislative documents implementing the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent BEPS (also known as the MLI) was finally approved by all 6 legislative authorities in Belgium. The Belgian law ratified the full application of the MLI and its Explanatory Note, the reservations and notifications made by
European Commission announces final State aid decision on financing income exemption within the UK’s CFC rules
On 2 April 2019, the European Commission (EC) announced that the Group Financing Exemption (GFE) within the UK Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) rules is “partly justified”. The decision has not yet been published but a brief explanation of the decision can be found via this link.
European Commission opens State aid investigation into Luxembourg’s tax treatment of Huhtamäki
On 7 March 2019, the European Commission (EC) announced the opening of an in-depth State aid investigation in a number of tax rulings granted by Luxembourg to Huhtamäki. This decision is another important decision in a range of decisions dealing with the taxation of intra-group financing activities. A brief explanation of the decision can be found
Registration to the UBO register: extension of the deadline until 30 September
We already informed you about the introduction in Belgium of a register regarding the Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBO’s) of legal entities. Initially, the information on the UBO’s needed to be registered by 30 November 2018. However, the deadline had been extended till 31 March 2019 by the Federal Public Service Finance (FPSF) taken into account
Upcoming due date for electronic filing of BEPS 13 related documents: 28 February 2019
Transfer pricing documentation has become an integral part of the compliance obligations of Belgian entities. The deadlines, criteria and formalities should therefore be followed up closely. Please find below a short summary of the obligations to be complied with by 28 February 2019. What? Belgian entities – if they meet certain criteria – have to
