Circular 2020/C/96 on the taxable basis of foreign movable income
On July 9, 2020, the Belgian Tax Administration published the Circular 2020/C/96 with respect to the determination of taxable income in case of collection of foreign movable income. It confirms that, in case of collection of a foreign movable income, the taxable amount is determined by deducting the foreign tax effectively withheld from the foreign
COVID-19 and cross-border employment: Belgium reaches agreement on “force majeure” tolerance for cross-border workers with the Netherlands
International travel restrictions and COVID-19 lock down measures, imposed by governments during the coronacrisis in order to “flatten the curve”, are pushing cross-border workers into a continuous home working scenario for many weeks now. Working days abroad are no longer an option. As stated by the OECD guidance, exceptional circumstances call for an exceptional level
COVID-19 and cross-border employment: is Belgium heading for a “force majeure” approach with its neighbouring countries?
In our newsflash of 15 April 2020, we were pleased to inform you that the Netherlands and Germany came to a mutual agreement regarding a “force majeure” tolerance for cross-border employment situations that are impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Dutch-German agreement certainly embodies the recent OECD recommendations of 3 April 2020 (see our
COVID-19: no general “force majeure” tolerance for cross-border employment
In our newsflash of 13 March 2020, we highlighted that since the COVID-19 outbreak many companies find themselves confronted with questions regarding unforeseen and forced changes in the working pattern of employees who perform activities in surrounding countries (such as Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Germany and France). One of the main questions that arises is whether the
Taxation of French-sourced dividends: confirmation of the Supreme Court decision
On 17 December 2019, the Court of Appeal of Antwerp confirmed the position of the Court of cassation in its arrest dated 16 June 2017 (previously commented) with respect to the application of a foreign tax credit in Belgium in relation to French-sourced dividends received by Belgian private investors. Background The case concerned French-sourced dividends
Belgian Net Asset Tax and Withholding Tax: opportunities to reclaim for Luxembourg SICAV
In a decision dated 29 November 2018, the Court of Appeal of Brussels concluded that the Double Tax Treaty concluded between Belgium and Luxembourg (hereinafter the ‘DTT’) prevents the application of the Belgian Net Asset Tax (hereinafter the ‘NAT’) to a Luxembourg SICAV. As it confirms that a Luxembourg SICAV falls within the personal scope
EU Direct Tax Newsalert: EU Commission finds that Luxembourg did not grant State aid to McDonalds
On 19 September 2018, the European Commission (“EC”) issued a press release concerning its final decision in the State aid investigation into tax rulings granted by the Luxembourg tax authorities to a Luxembourg subsidiary of the McDonald’s group in relation to the treatment of a branch established in the United States of America (“US”). The
Double tax treaty Belgium – The Netherlands: Belgian Supreme Court counters subject to tax clause
On January 25, 2018 the Belgian Supreme Court rendered a decision with respect to the application of the Belgian-Dutch double tax treaty. In doing so, the Supreme Court has taken a rather uncommon approach as to the interpretation of the subject to tax clause. Based on article 17.1. of the Belgian-Dutch double tax treaty, the
