Belgian transfer pricing audits: new wave initiated
Last week, the Belgian tax authorities have initiated a new wave of transfer pricing audits. Multiple taxpayers have already received or will receive in the next few days an in-depth questionnaire that focuses on their transfer pricing arrangements. The request for information on intercompany transactions and activities of the Belgian company or branch is the
Long awaited Transfer Pricing Circular published
On 25 February 2020, the Belgian tax administration published Circular Letter 2020/C/35 on the 2017 version of the OECD Transfer Pricing Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and Tax Administrations (2017 OECD TPG). This practice note is available in Dutch and French. The circular is the final version of a draft circular letter originally published by the
Tax Authorities have issued Circular Letter regarding the Group Contribution Regime
On 13 February 2020, a circular letter on the group contribution regime has been published (Dutch and French version). The group contribution regime, applicable as of financial year 2019 (assessment year 2020), enables Belgian companies and Belgian branches of entities located in the EER to transfer taxable profits to other affiliated Belgian companies/branches with the
Time to act as OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework moves forward on new tax rules
On the 31st of January 2020, after a two-day meeting held on 29 – 30 January, the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on BEPS issued a statement that updates the state-of-play regarding the work on tax challenges arising from the digitalization of the economy, and sets forth a revised work program on the Two-Pillar Approach. In this
The OECD releases its Transfer Pricing Guidance on Financial Transactions
The OECD has released its long-awaited final report on the transfer pricing aspects of financial transactions. The report will constitute the 10th chapter of the OECD Transfer Pricing Guidelines (as well as an additional section in Chapter I). It covers a wide range of financial transactions and provides guidance on critical aspects to be considered
Royal decree regarding significant changes on 30% EBITDA rule approved
On 10 December 2019, the draft repair act containing various changes to the 30% EBITDA rule has been withdrawn from the chamber leaving taxpayers in uncertainty on the application of the rule. However on 27 December 2019, a Royal Decree related to the 30% EBITDA rule has been published. The Royal Decree includes some of
Mandatory disclosure rules for intermediaries (DAC 6) – Belgian law adopted by the Chamber of Representatives
On 12 December, the draft bill implementing the EU Council Directive 2018/822/EU of 26 May 2018, also known as “DAC6 Directive”, has been adopted by the Chamber of Representatives. In short, DAC6 provides for the obligation to declare certain cross-border tax arrangements to the Belgian tax authorities. This obligation is incumbent on both taxpayers
Important update – Draft bill impacting 30% EBITDA rule delayed
The draft bill containing various modifications to article 198/1 BITC 92 (i.e. 30% EBITDA rule), has been removed from the agenda of the Finance Commission. Therefore it is unrealistic that these modifications will be adopted before year-end. The modifications included in the draft bill – and which are hence not adopted – include the allocation of
