Tax Bites Podcast – The Belgian government negotiations: what’s on the table?
The Belgian government negotiations are ongoing as we speak: what is in the ‘Nota De Wever’? Get a comprehensive overview from our experts in the latest edition of the tax bites podcast. Our experts reflect on how this can impact groups with Belgian activities. About the speakers Bart Van den Bussche Tim Van Sant Pieter
Super Nota of Bart De Wever – What was on the table?
In Bart De Wever’s “Super Nota,” the proposed tax reform introduces substantial changes to the existing tax system. This article summarises the tax measures that were under consideration and might be used as a starting point when negotiations start again. As political discussions are not final, the information presented here may be subject to change
New withholding tax exemption for variable shifts adopted in Parliament
On 3 May 2024, the Belgian Parliament adopted the law concerning the new exemption of withholding tax for shift work with variable shifts. The law introduces the “variant bis”, aiming to ensure clarity and legal security, mitigating recent judicial decisions that restricted the definition of qualifying shift. For more information, we refer to our previous
Exemption of withholding tax for night and shift work, a new measure for variable shifts
On 22 March 2024 (published on 27 March 2024), the Federal government introduced amendments to a draft bill which outline a new transitional measure regarding the withholding tax exemption for night and shift work. This transitional measure, referred to as “variant bis” is in response to the uncertainty that arose after the Constitutional Court opened
Stock options granted by a Personal Service Company to its company director – not always tax deductible for the company
In a judgement of 5 December 2023, the Court of appeal of Antwerp ruled on a case regarding the deductibility of costs of stock options and upholds the lower court’s decision, confirming that remunerations (stock options income in this case) may not always be treated as deductible expenses. The dispute in this case revolves around
New Circular letter on the calculation of the Federal Mobility Budget: pitfalls remain
At the end of September last year, the Belgian government published a Royal Decree to clarify the calculation of the budget for the Federal Mobility Budget and introduce a lump sum calculation method as well. These formulas are to be used both to calculate the available budget as well as the cost to be charged
Wage withholding tax exemption – Constitutional court has introduced a strict interpretation of the application requirements for the wage withholding tax exemption for shift work
Executive Summary In a request for preliminary ruling, the Belgian Constitutional Court was asked to rule on the discriminatory character (or not) of one of the conditions to apply the withholding tax exemption for night and shift work. Said condition requires that the shifts perform the same work in terms of content and magnitude of
The updated benefit in kind for the private use of a company car – 12 months delay for a significant tax increase?
Executive summary Due to the acceleration of the electrification of the fleet, employees driving a combustion engine car were faced with an approx. 10% increase of the benefit in kind company car as of 2024. To mitigate the related tax cost for the individual, the Minister of Finance has announced a change in the calculation
