Parliament approves loss carry-back
Parliament has approved legislation introducing a loss carry-back (cfr. our previous e-tax flash). Companies which are in a tax paying position for financial year 2019 and expect a loss for financial year 2020 should check whether they qualify for the loss carry-back.
Parliament has not approved the reserve fund for reconstruction, but could still do so before the start of the parliamentary recess (21st of July)
Belgian Stock Exchange Tax compatible with European freedoms and principle of equality
In answer to a request for preliminary ruling by the Belgian Constitutional Court, the Court of Justice of the European Union (hereafter: CJEU) had held on 30 January 2020 that the Belgian Stock Exchange Tax for transactions via foreign intermediaries is compatible with the freedom to provide services (Art. 56 TFEU and Art. 36 EEA Agreement). [1] Now, on 4 June 2020, the Belgian Constitutional Court has delivered its final judgment. The Court confirms, in line with the reasoning of the CJEU, that Belgian legislation is compatible with EU law, and furthermore with the constitutional principle of equality. [2]
Draft law containing extra tax measures to help companies to face COVID19 outbreak introduced in parliament
The government introduced a new draft law containing extra measures to combat the economic consequences of the corona crisis for our enterprises.
Administrative deferral for DAC6 reporting and Royal Decree
On 3 June 2020 the Belgian Federal Tax Authorities announced that an administrative deferral of six months is granted for the reporting obligations under the DAC6 legislation. Additionally, on 4 June 2020 the Royal Decree specifying the penalties for the failure to comply with the DAC6 obligations, was also published.
Dochter vaste inrichting? HvJ houdt de deur op een kier
In haar arrest van 7 mei 2020 in de zaak Dong Yang Electronics tracht het Europees Hof van Justitie meer duidelijkheid te scheppen over het concept van een vaste inrichting. De hamvraag waarover het Hof zich moest buigen, was of een dochteronderneming gelijktijdig kan beschouwd worden als vaste inrichting van haar niet-Europese moedermaatschappij. Strikt gezien kan dit volgens het Hof, maar dit houdt niet in dat een dienstverrichter de contractuele verhouding tussen een moedermaatschappij en haar dochter moet onderzoeken bij het bepalen van de plaats van de dienst. De einduitkomst van het arrest stemt overeen met het standpunt dat eerder werd ingenomen in de conclusie van de Advocaat-Generaal Kokott (zie ook Btw-brief nr. 2020/01), al is de visie van het Hof iets genuanceerder.
Filiale et établissement stable à la fois ? La CJUE entrouvre la porte
Dans l'arrêt qu'elle a rendu le 7 mai 2020 dans l'affaire Dong Yang Electronics, la Cour de justice de l'Union européenne s'est attachée à clarifier la notion d'établissement stable. La question-clé sur laquelle elle avait à se pencher était celle de savoir si une filiale peut être considérée en même temps comme un établissement stable de sa société mère non européenne. À strictement parler, c'est possible selon la Cour, mais cela n'implique pas qu'un prestataire de services doive examiner le rapport contractuel entre une société mère et sa filiale pour déterminer le lieu de prestation des services. Au final, la teneur de l'arrêt concorde avec la position adoptée précédemment par l'avocate générale Kokott dans ses conclusions (voir aussi la lettre TVA n° 2020/01), encore que la vision de la Cour soit un peu plus nuancée.
EC proposes to postpone filing deadlines, including for EU mandatory disclosure rules (DAC6)
The European Commission (EC) today issued a press release announcing proposals to postpone the entry into force of two EU taxation measures in response to the difficulties that businesses and EU Member States are facing due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
European Commission extends Temporary Framework for State aid measures
On April 3, 2020, the European Commission extended the Temporary Framework for State aid measures to support the economy in the current COVID-19 outbreak with an additional five measures, including targeted support in the form of deferral of tax payments and suspension of social security contributions.
Government increases bonification of corporate tax prepayments made during Q3 and Q4
In response to the Covid-19 outbreak, the Belgian and regional governments have taken several measures in the past weeks to mitigate the financial and economic effects of the temporary lock down. The latest measure of the federal government relates to corporate tax prepayments.
European Commission adopts Temporary Framework for State aid measures
On March 19, 2020, following consultation with EU Member States, the European Commission adopted a Temporary Framework for State aid measures to support the economy in the current COVID-19 outbreak. The Framework sets out temporary State aid measures that the European Commission considers compatible with the EU internal market and that can be approved rapidly upon notification by each Member State.