New daily lump-sum allowances for foreign business trips
An employer/company can pay daily lump-sum allowances for foreign business travel to employees or company directors in order to reimburse certain expenses. The lump-sum reimbursements can be determined on the basis of the list of allowances paid by the Federal Public Department of Foreign Affairs to its posted agents.New lists have been published to determine
Tax return deadline for income year 2013 (assessment year 2014) – Individuals
The tax return deadlines for assessment year 2014 (income 2013) have been confirmed by the Belgian tax authorities.
Double tax treaty between China and Belgium: entry into force
The new double tax treaty between China and Belgium has entered into force. It was concluded on 7 October 2009 and it entered into force retrospectively as of 29 December 2013. It replaces the double tax treaty of 18 April 1985. The new treaty applies to withholding taxes for income received as of 1 January
Taxation in the Netherlands: increased deductibility of Belgian social security contributions
Taxation in the Netherlands: increased deductibility of Belgian social security contributions Within the framework of the 2014 Dutch Tax Plan, a recent change was announced with respect to the deduction of Belgian employee social security contributions for Dutch income tax purposes, retrospective as of 1 January 2013. It concerns individual taxpayers whose earned income is
Anticipated change in the taxation of expatriates and other non-residents
Within the framework of the 6th Belgian state reform there is a focus on i.a. empowering our regions (Brussels, Flanders and Wallonia) via a limited degree of autonomy in respect of income taxes. As a result, our tax law will fundamentally change in the upcoming months. Although non-resident taxation remains a federal matter, certain regional
Denial of tax benefits resulting from different treatment for income earned in another Member State incompatible with EU law
On 12 December 2013, Belgium was sentenced by the European Court of Justice for breaching EU-law and, more precisely article 49 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (freedom of establishment). The case at hand concerned a married couple with 2 children, resident in Belgium. With respect to their tax returns for
Tax authorities target foreign source professional income
If the relevant double tax treaty allocates the right to tax employment income to another state, the income will in principle be exempted from taxes in Belgium. However, for tax residents of Belgium, foreign source professional income still needs to be reported in the Belgian personal income tax return and an exemption (with progression reserve)
The Netherlands – Prinsjesdag – Budget Day 2014
On 17 September 2013, the Dutch government announced its Budget Memorandum and the 2014 Tax Package. Two important items included in the measures proposed are: continuation of the crisis levy of 16% (employer duty) on salaries paid during 2013 exceeding the cap of EUR 150,000 introduction of a maximum deductibility threshold for pension contributions set
