Expected changes in employers’ tax reporting obligations of some equity incentives
When foreign headquartered companies grant stock options to employees of their Belgian subsidiaries, such option grants, where taxable at grant, are ALWAYS reportable by the Belgian employing subsidiary on the employee’s individual statement 281.10. This reporting obligation is due irrespective of whether such subsidiary is involved in the option grant or expenses the stock option
Belgian tax reform reduces corporate rate to 25% and introduces fiscal consolidation
On 26 July 2017, the federal government reached an agreement on an important tax, economic and social reform package. A significant gradual reduction in the corporate income tax rate to 25% in 2020 and fiscal consolidation are key components of the package. The agreement preserves the notional interest deduction. The tax reform is built around
Belgium decides to reduce corporate tax rate from 34% to 25%
Remark: The following announced measures will have to be formalised in draft legislation which should only be available as from September/October. Only then will full details be known. On 26 July 2017, the Federal government reached an agreement on an important corporate tax reform, significantly reducing the corporate tax rate. More details will follow below.
Ruling Office – rulings delayed due to annulation of French-speaking Board members
On 28 April 2017, the Belgian Council of State annulled the nomination of the French-speaking Board members of the Ruling Office, due to a complaint by a previous Board member. As a result of the judgement, the Ruling Office will not be able to take any formal decisions before the Board members have been replaced.
Newcomers statement and obligation to prove integration – continued
Due to a technical legislative mistake the Belgian Official Gazette published again on 8 February 2017 (it was also published on 26 January) the text regarding the Act imposing the ‘newcomers statement’ and the obligation to prove integration. The newcomers statement concerns the statement whereby the signer pledges to respect and comply with the values
Important changes to Overseas Social Security System
The Belgian Federal Government has drafted a Royal Decree modifying the system of Overseas Social Security substantially. The changes will apply to the pension pillar, which constitutes the cornerstone of Overseas Social Security. The Royal Decree was scheduled to enter into force on 1 February 2017, but we were recently informed by the authorities that
New legislation on posting of employees adopted by the Belgian Chamber of Representatives
In the Belgian Official Gazette of December 20th, the Act of December 11th, 2016 laying down several provisions with respect to the posting of employees was published. This Act transposes the Enforcement Directive 2014/67/EU (“Enforcement Directive”) of the Posting Directive 96/71/EC (“Posting Directive”) into Belgian law and includes, among other measures, a number of additional
New dispensation to calculate the days of presence of Belgian tax residents in Luxembourg
Just before the summer holidays, the Belgian tax authorities have published a Practice Note (Practice Note AGFisc No. 22/2015 (No. Ci.700.520) dated 1st June 2015) regarding the amicable agreement of 16 March 2015 on the application of section 15 of the Belgian-Luxembourg treaty for the avoidance of double taxation. The agreement has introduced, from 1st