Belgium grew significantly following the World War II, but
due to its export dependent economy, it has suffered as a
result of the recent economic crisis, although in a report
in November 2009, the OECD reported that the economy had entered
‘a slow recovery, supported by an acceleration in world
trade’.
Belgium’s corporate income tax rate of 33.99% means
that it is not considered to be a low tax jurisdiction. That
said, Belgium offers favourable tax treatment to expatriates
seconded there (subject to certain conditions), and offers
relatively favourable taxation for holding companies.
Belgium was a founding member of the European Union, and
as an EU member, benefits from visa-free travel and enhanced
trade relations with Member States. The Euro was adopted as
the Belgian currency in 1999; prior to that the currency was
the Belgian Franc (BEF).
Following the G20 Summit of April 2, which focused on international
tax cooperation, Belgium was placed on the OECD ‘grey
list’. Belgium confirmed its commitment to the OECD
standard on transparency and tax information exchange in March
and has since been placed on the OECD ‘white list’
of territories that have substantially-implemented the internationally-agreed
standard on transparency and information exchange, having
signed more than twelve Tax Information Exchange Agreements.
Belgium has, at the time of writing, more than 80 double
taxation avoidance agreements in place.
During a recent working visit to Luxembourg, Belgian Prime Minister Elio Di
Rupo held talks with his Luxembourg counterpart Jean-Claude Juncker, with the
talks focussing on fiscal issues currently under discussion in the European
Union. RSS
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Government plans to reform the existing tax regime pertaining to company cars
in Belgium, agreed within the framework of intense negotiations on the country’s
2012 budget, are expected to significantly increase the tax burden on individuals. RSS
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At the eleventh hour and following intensive talks, negotiators in Belgium, led by Elio Di Rupo, tasked by the King with forming a viable coalition government, have finally united on plans for the country’s 2012 budget, providing for savings of EUR11.3bn (USD15.1bn) and for a public deficit of 2.8% of gross domestic product. RSS
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I am facing a dilemma and would like to invite any reader to advise me.
I am a Brit who has lived outside UK since 1993- initially in Belgium (5 years) & subsequently in 4 African countries. After a year outside UK, the UK Inland Revenue confirmed my status as ‘non-resident’ for tax purposes and as I have had no income in UK, I have not completed a UK tax return for many years. I visit UK very rarely, normally for one or two weeks per year.
In May 2011, I was made redundent by my employers, who were downsizing. This coincided with a move to retire in the Netherlands, where I now have official residency (my wife is Dutch). I thought that, at 63 years of age, I would be unlikely to find suitable employment; in fact, I have not tried hard and had resigned myself to permanent (but slightly premature) retirement.
However, to my surprise, I have recently been approached (through a mutual acquaintance) by a company that wishes to use my skills on a project in the Isle of Man. The role, if & when confirmed, would see me working for about 10 days a month in Isle of Man, with about 5-7 additional days per month, working from home. Contract will be for about two years. The firm has asked me to confirm if I would prefer to be paid (and therefore be taxed) in Netherlands or Isle of Man, the idea being that I create a self-employment entity for this employment. I have no data on which to base a response. Given Isle of Man's traditional ‘low tax ‘environment, are there any benefits to declaring an income in IOM? Are there any Isle of Man residency implications? Netherlands takes a tax cut on total world wide income, and, as I have never had any contact with the Dutch authorities, I am reluctant to start such a relationship now. Do I have to declare income in both countries, with a breakdown prorata to the time spent in each jurisdiction? Should I declare income to UK Inland revenue?
If anyone has pertinent advice on these points, I’d be grateful to hear them.
Just wondering if anyone 'on the ground', as it were, might be reading and able to help me...I was considering relocating my hairdressing business from the UK to Ireland before the economy started to go properly belly-up...now, not so much.
Are things as bad as they seem over there, or is it being over-hyped by the media? And is the government still keen to support small business people? Cos if not, I'll look elsewhere...
Hi, I live in South Africa, and along with 2 business partners (one in South Africa and one in Ireland - all South African citizens though) are setting up a company that designs Smart phone applications. As they will be sold on the various platforms (none of which operate out of South Africa)we have to list our company as operating out of Ireland anyway. As such, we have decided to set up our company in the best tax country and are wanting info on whether Jersey or Malta is best? If anyone has some inside info we would really appreciate it!! Thanks!Mary
I am moving full time to France in Jan 2012 where I will be working as a freelance contract engineer to a number of Australian based companies. It is my choice to move to France not a work requirement. I will be renting my house out in Austrlalia and renting a house while I am in France. I hold both EU & Austrlain citizenshiip. I am married with 2 young children. Approx total family income $100k AUD. Do I pay tax in France or Australia or both ? Any help or guidance would be much appreciated.France move
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