Latest news & developments
Net Zero Industrial Act and the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform: Forging a Synergy for the European Industry of the Future
During last week’s trilogue negotiations, the EU Commission, the EU Parliament, and the EU Council reached a provisional agreement on the Net Zero Industrial Act (NZIA). This Regulation will form the backbone of the EU’s strategy to boost domestic green tech production, known as the Green Deal Industrial Plan. This initiative responds to the global
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
Harmonising Carbon Pricing in the CBAM Era: EU-Switzerland ETS Linkage
Recent developments in the Agreement between the EU and Switzerland on linking their Emission Trading Systems reflect an ongoing commitment inside the European Union to aligning carbon pricing strategies across borders, that is now expected to accelerate following the adoption and implementation of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). The EU Carbon Pricing Strategy The
New ways to carving-out and integrating your business in Belgium not always tax neutral
In 2023, new ways of performing carve-out and integrating your business became possible from a legal perspective. Meanwhile the tax law has also been adapted to enable you to perform these new ways of reorganising your group structure tax-free. Nevertheless, still some problems remain and sufficient attention should be paid to the tax consequences 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
CBAM Registry’s Technical Issues: EU Addresses Concerns in Last-Minute Press Release
The European Commission has taken action regarding the technical issues affecting the submission of data for the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the Import Control System 2 (ICS2). These problems have arisen from a technical fault impacting several EU customs systems, including the CBAM Transitional Registry. In response, systems updates have been made
End of the “old” special tax regime for expatriates: key changes starting January 2024
As of January 2024, the special tax regime applicable to certain expatriates in Belgium under the administrative tolerance (i.e. Circulaire n°Ci.RH.624/325.294 dd august 08.1983) has come to an end. If you are an expatriate who was in scope of the ‘old’ special tax regime until the end of December 2023, it is crucial to understand
Arm’s length character of interest rates on intercompany loans
In recent years, the Belgian Tax Authorities (BTA) have intensified their focus on the (intercompany) financing arrangements of MNE groups. Some recent Belgian case laws offer valuable insights into the approach that the BTA and the Courts adopt when assessing the arm’s length character of intercompany financing conditions. Stay informed and adapt strategically! Judgment of
