The law containing various tax and financial provisions has been published in the Belgian Official Gazette on 30 November 2022. Headline of the law is the lengthening of investigation, assessment, objection, and retention periods.
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Regeling van de verlegging van heffing inzake werk in onroerende staat
Met ingang van 1 januari 2023 worden er verschillende wijzigingen aangebracht aan de regeling van de verlegging van heffing van artikel 20 van het Koninkblijk Besluit nr. 1. De verlegging van heffing voor werk in onroerende staat zal vanaf dat ogenblik van toepassing zijn voor iedere belastingplichtige-afnemer die gehouden is tot de indiening van periodieke btw-aangiften in Be ...
Important changes to the reverse charge mechanism for immovable property works
As from the 1st of January 2023 the reverse charge mechanism of article 20 of the Royal Decree No. 1 will be subject to a major reform. As from that date, the reverse charge mechanism for immovable property works will apply to every taxable customer who is subject to the filing of periodic VAT returns in Belgium. This also includes the taxable customers who are established out ...
Extended VAT statute of limitations
The Belgian Parliament adopted a draft law concerning diverse tax and financial provisions on 10 November 2022 (hereinafter: the Law). This Law also contains amendments to the VAT statute of limitations, retention period and applicable interest rates, claiming a better alignment with the income tax rules as well as an enhanced ability to fight VAT fraud more effectively.
Annual tax on credit institutions – Constitutional court overturns retroactive application for assessment year 2016
The Constitutional Court has ruled that the retroactive application of the annual tax on credit institutions for assessment year 2016 cannot be upheld, opening the door for a reclaim.
Belgian annual tax on securities accounts - Constitutional Court cancels specific anti-abuse measures
On 27 October 2022 the Belgian Constitutional Court issued a long-awaited judgement on the annual tax on securities accounts.[1] The Court cancels the specific anti-abuse measures and the retroactive application of the general anti-abuse measure.[2] Though, the Court dismisses the remaining grievances of taxpayers and rules that the tax as such is compatible with the principles ...
The federal government has reached an agreement on the budget for 2023 and 2024.
To tackle the energy crisis, the following measures have been decided: Introduction of an excess profit tax for energy producers with an income above 180 EUR per MWh between 01/01/22 and 30/11/22 and above 130 EUR per MWh between 01/12/22 and 30/06/23 (possibly extended beyond June 2023); and Solidarity contribution from the oil sector. This revenue will be spent on: ...
New guidance for VAT refund procedures and remunerations in football
The Belgian Tax Authorities published two new circular letters on 28 September 2022 as follows: Circular 2022/C/99 concerning VAT refund procedures: This Circular includes a first commentary for the modified VAT refund procedures as provided in Royal Decree nr. 56 of 10 April 2022 regarding VAT refund to VAT taxable persons established in another Member State than the Member ...
Verdere verfijning btw-aftrek actieve holdings
Het Hof van Justitie heeft op 8 september 2022 in de zaak W GmbH (C C‑98/21) het recht op aftrek van de btw op diverse kosten die gemaakt worden door actieve holdings verder genuanceerd. Het Hof heeft geoordeeld dat een actieve holding de voorbelasting alleen kan aftrekken voor zover deze betrekking heeft op haar eigen (btw-belaste) economische activiteiten.
Belgian Constitutional Court decision concerning DAC6
On 15 September 2022, the Belgian Constitutional Court (hereafter: the Court) ruled in the joint cases of Belgian lawyers and the Institute of Tax Advisors and Accountants (ITAA) concerning the implementation of the DAC6 Directive (2018/822 EU) into Belgian legislation (hereafter: DAC6 legislation). The DAC6 legislation obliges intermediaries to disclose qualifying reportable arrangements to the Tax Authorities but facilitates a conditional exemption for those bound by legal professional privilege. The plaintiffs of the current case all have legal professional privilege and, in that context, challenged the DAC6 legislation based on fundamental rights.