Benefit in kind – Private use of company cars: Modified 2013 reference emission for petrol cars
A Royal Decree dated 3 April 2013 has changed the reference CO2 emission for petrol cars that is to be applied to determine the taxable benefit in kind for the private use of a company car by company directors and employees. For income year 2013, this reference CO2 emission for petrol driven cars is now
Belgian Budget Control 2013 – new measures
After a new and challenging budget negotiation process, the Federal Government has recently reached an agreement on the federal budget plan for 2013. In this respect, amongst others the following two fiscal measures were announced. Firstly, the Federal Government has decided to apply a uniform (withholding) tax rate to liquidation bonuses as from 1 October
High Council of Finance disagrees with Belgian tax authorities on future tax treatment of stock options
The former Minister of Finance had instructed the Belgian tax authorities to draft a number of legislative measures to simplify the Belgian tax system. On 13 December 2012, a series of proposals were presented to the “fiscal and para-fiscal” division of the High Council of Finance (Hoge Raad van Financiën/Conseil Supérieur des Finances). One of
Economic Recovery plan – Upcoming tax measures – changes to the secret commissions’ tax
Following our HRS Headlines of 20 October 2011 and 16 November 2011, the pre-draft tax bill of 7 February 2013 dealing with sustainable development provides an additional possibility to avoid the special tax of 309% charged on income that is not properly reported. This additional possibility can come into play when the following conditions are
Economic Recovery plan – Upcoming tax measures
At the latest cabinet meeting, which took place on 7 February 2013, at the initiative of the Minister of Finance (Steven Vanackere), a pre-draft tax bill was approved dealing with sustainable development. This pre-draft legislation is intended to implement certain tax measures in the Economic Recovery Plan (Relanceplan) 2012, one of which is to increase
Update regarding the special contribution payable on high pension contributions (the so-called ‘Wijninckx bijdrage’)
To recall, if the total of contributions paid into occupational pension plans for one person exceeded EUR 30,000 in 2011, the company has to pay a special contribution of 1.5% on the excess amount. This charge is due both for employees and for self-employed company directors. For employees, the special contribution has to be reported
UK-Belgium double tax treaty – New protocol published
On 28 December 2012 the protocol amending the existing double tax treaty between Belgium and the United Kingdom was published in the Official Gazette. The protocol was signed by both countries on 24 June 2009 and came into force on 24 December 2012. It is applicable as from 1 January 2013. The protocol amends the
Dutch social security contributions & formal salary split
As you may know, there are quite some upcoming changes to the legislation in the Netherlands not only from a tax perspective but also from a social security point of view. In this respect, we wish to draw your attention to a change in the Dutch social security legislation that will affect formal split employment
