Further to our previous updates on the thematic investment deduction (see our newsflash of 16 January 2025, our newsflash on the Royal Decree of 28 July 2025 and our newsflash of 6 May 2026), the Flemish region has launched the online web application for requesting the certificates in relation the energy list (i.e. efficient use of energy and renewable energy). Applications for investments relating to the reduction of CO2 emissions (category 2 of the environmental list) will be available through the web application at a later stage. Alongside the web application, the Flemish Energy and Climate Agency (VEKA) has also published a provisional guide and supporting documents to assist applicants throughout the process.
Procedure
To benefit from the thematic investment deduction, a certificate must be attached to the tax return. The certificate must be requested from the region where the investments were carried out (not based on the registered office). A cooperation agreement between the regions and the Federal Public Service Finance is currently being finalised to govern the processing of applications. As long as the cooperation agreement has not entered into force, no certificates can be issued. However, it is already possible to submit an application via the online web application in the meantime. Certificates will only be delivered after the cooperation agreement enters into force.
Applications must be accompanied by a duly completed Excel template for calculating the payback period and internal rate of return (IRR). A technical description or energy study that is no more than four years old must also be uploaded with the application. VEKA has published guidance documents and supporting tools, including a guide to the web application.
In addition to the regular certificate, taxpayers can also apply for an investment certificate for a future investment project spanning multiple tax periods. This ensures that investments carried out in later financial years are assessed under the same criteria as those in the financial year in which the investment certificate was requested. Applications for an investment certificate are submitted through the same web application.
For more details on the thematic investment deduction and how to prepare for the application process, contact Tom Wallyn or Rémi Malengreaux, or reach out to your regular PwC contact.
