This summer’s second COVID-19 wave occurred sooner than expected. This has led to the implementation of various stricter measures. The government also took the opportunity to reconsider support measures for SMEs and companies. So, what support measures can you still rely on today? We have explored your options. read more ...

The one-off investment deduction is an extra deduction that companies (SMEs and self-employed persons) can enjoy on top of the ordinary write-off. This can be done specifically for new, professional investments that are depreciable over a period of at least 3 years. read more ...

A common discussion during tax audits concerns the classification of costs related to the organisation of a particular event. Entrepreneurs organise events to highlight their products and services to customers and prospects with the aim of boosting sales. read more ...

Enterprises that were forced to put one or more employees fully on furlough during the coronavirus crisis can now make use of a temporary partial withholding tax exemption. The Chamber approved this legislative proposal on 9 July 2020. read more ...

The coronavirus pandemic has greatly affected this country’s labour market. The easing of the rules on temporary unemployment due to force majeure is intended to give companies the breathing room they need until the summer and to prevent dismissals. What if these dismissals prove unavoidable, however? read more ...

For many businesses, the repercussions of the corona crisis may be felt for a long time to come. The House has consequently approved a bill that permits the early deduction of corona losses from taxation. Indeed, companies can now advance the deduction of such estimated corona losses by offsetting them against the taxes liable in the previous financial year. An overview of this carryback scheme is provided below. read more ...

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the authorities introduced a system of temporary unemployment due to coronavirus force majeure. This easing of the rules was intended to offer companies some financial breathing room and prevent dismissals. Though initially, an employee’s notice period continued while on furlough as usual, the legislators have now decided to suspend this period until the employee has resumed work. Who will be affected by this new law? read more ...

Last week the Belgian federal cabinet’s ‘Superkern’ again approved a series of additional measures from the third phase of the Federal Plan for Social and Economic Protection. There are two sets of measures, focusing on stimulating investment on the one hand and the organisation of work on the other. In the first phase on 6 June, the ‘Superkern’ already agreed to a previous series of additional measures. read more ...

This week, the Flemish Government decided to extend the duration of the corona nuisance premium for entrepreneurs who have been obliged to keep their business closed for a while longer. An additional compensation premium will also be paid to entrepreneurs who have suffered a large loss of turnover. read more ...

Last week the Belgian federal cabinet’s ‘Superkern’ agreed to a series of additional measures from the third phase of the Federal Plan for Social and Economic Protection. These measures are intended to shore up the purchasing power of vulnerable groups and help boost the economy. read more ...

The coronavirus is having a huge impact on the workplace, both in the short and long term. From the very beginning of the lockdown, companies were forced to organise their operations in a more flexible way. For many employers, this was also the impetus for adopting more structured and sustainable flexible working practices for the future. What can your company do to facilitate a flexible workforce both during and after corona? And which operational and personal requirements must you consider? We provide an overview below. read more ...

Under certain conditions, companies may qualify for a subsidy to help with costs for business-related travel abroad or participation in foreign trade fairs that cannot be recuperated due to the coronavirus. read more ...

The Walloon Region has established a compensation premium for Walloon enterprises that do not qualify for the coronavirus premium. This compensation premium amounts to EUR 2,500. Applicants are subject to the following conditions: read more ...

It took a while, but on 14 May the Brussels Capital government finally announced the application conditions for its EUR 2,000 support premium. It should be possible to apply for this compensation in early June. read more ...

Many Belgian employees, who normally work full or part-time in the Netherlands, must presently work from home. Working from home can have negative repercussions in terms of pay, which is currently taxable in Belgium. Belgium has consequently concluded an agreement with the Netherlands to address this issue. read more ...

The coronavirus epidemic is seriously affecting the turnover of many companies and sole traders. Unfortunately, there is no insurance coverage available to compensate for such loss at this time. As an entrepreneur, however, it is possible to insure yourself against loss of turnover due to your own absence as a business manager. read more ...

An increasing number of construction companies realise projects abroad. Even though these concern Belgian companies executing projects using a Belgian workforce, it can have significant repercussions abroad. The implications of the ongoing corona crisis should also not be overlooked. read more ...

Working from home is not so straightforward for today’s employees. Combining work and family life is not an easy exercise. To support families, the Cabinet approved a corona parental leave policy last weekend. But what exactly does this entail? And how can you apply for corona parental leave? We list the key principles for your convenience. read more ...

On 2 May, the Cabinet decided to temporarily reduce the VAT rate for face masks and hydroalcoholic gels from 21% to 6%. This reduced rate applies to supplies, imports and intra-Community acquisitions from 4 May 2020 up to and including 31 December 2020. read more ...

Meeting in times of corona is anything but obvious. However, every year the spring months are the top months when it comes to general assemblies. Many companies and associations are currently experiencing practical difficulties in organizing these general assemblies. How to bring together shareholders or members while respecting the rules of social distancing but without affecting their respective rights? Our experts conducted the investigation for you. read more ...

Flemish enterprises and self-employed workers to whom the nuisance premium for mandatory closure was granted until the 5th of April 2020, will automatically receive further compensation of 160 euros per mandatory closure day for the subsequent period. read more ...

After the Flemish Region, the Government of the Brussels-Capital Region also introduced additional support measures for companies affected by the Covid-19 virus. The exact terms for these measures are currently being defined. Below you will find an overview of the announced measures. read more ...

Cyber criminals are active, even during the corona crisis. In recent weeks, an increasing number of phishing emails have been sent around the world. These often exploit the coronavirus and other topical events. But how can you recognise a phishing email? read more ...

The National Security Council resolutions agreed on March 17, 2020 in the context of combatting coronavirus, have resulted in numerous mandatory measures for businesspersons and companies. These prevention measures are essential for enabling the continuance of company operations. read more ...

Nobody could have predicted the impact of coronavirus on our society. No preparedness and response plan was in place to cope with the corona crisis. Meanwhile, the initial impact has been experienced by many businesses and initial measures have also been adopted. Below is a list of the main support measures offered by the government, however, these measures will not provide everyone with sufficient support. As it is important to also look to the future, our specialists have put together their main tips for generating a coronavirus action plan. read more ...

The Flemish government made it clear some time ago that it intends to support not just companies that have been forced to close down, but also those suffering serious loss of turnover due to the operating restrictions imposed by the Belgian National Security Council. The Flemish government has now officially approved the coronavirus compensation and the eligibility conditions have been clarified. read more ...

As a result of the current coronavirus crisis, more and more people are thinking about how to protect themselves against the consequences of a possible state of legal incapacity. An extrajudicial protection mandate or extrajudicial power of attorney provides a solution here. Thanks to this mandate, you can autonomously perform certain legal acts relating to the protection and transfer of assets or to your personal care if you become ill. read more ...

Are you employed as a frontier worker in France? Are you in the freight transport industry and travelling to France for this reason? In that case you must be able to present a declaration justifying the reasons for your trip. read more ...

A lot of employers are currently finding it difficult to keep their employees in full-time employment. The number of orders is decreasing, there are fewer customer visits and the delivery of goods has become more difficult. As an employer, there is sometimes no other option than to place your employees on temporary unemployment. However, this also has financial consequences for them. What can you do as an employer? read more ...

The measures to restrict the spread of the coronavirus disproportionately affect specific sectors such as tourism, agriculture and horticulture. Measures have been implemented to support floriculture, for example, which is heavily affected. Continuous monitoring of the market is required in order to be able to activate European agricultural and horticultural crisis management instruments in time to prevent even more serious consequences. read more ...

Accountancy and auditing firm Vandelanotte delivered no less than 80 kilograms of Easter chocolate to the children of the non-profit organisations O2 Wervik and Onze Kinderen Roeselare, and to the healthcare providers of the Jan Yperman Hospital on Wednesday 8 April. The office wants to give them an extra boost in this way. read more ...

The government strives to support businesses as well as possible in these challenging times. Many new support measures have been adopted and certain formal requirements have been relaxed. The coronavirus crisis may also open up business opportunities, inspiring companies to innovate in order to keep employees productive or to develop new strategies. In addition to the support measures, the Flemish government provides aid for the implementation of such opportunities, ideas and challenges. read more ...

A frequently asked question from entrepreneurs faced with liquidity problems during the coronavirus crisis was whether there will be a postponement of the advance payments in personal and corporate income tax scheduled for 10 April 2020. read more ...

The coronavirus has currently spread around the planet, though its full impact will not be apparent until later. Many businesses are therefore operating in survival mode, concentrating primarily on their company’s financial health and on how to retain their employees. We understand. Even in such circumstances, however, it remains important to look further than the current crisis and think about what will happen afterwards. read more ...

In addition to the deferral of bank loans for entrepreneurs, the banking sector, in consultation with the Minister of Finance, has also made provisions for the deferral of mortgage loan repayments for private individuals. read more ...

As a result of the coronavirus, a lot of employees are working from home. However, for cross-border workers, this can have far-reaching tax implications. read more ...

Self-employed persons can obtain a payment deferral of social security contributions for the first and second quarters of 2020. The deferral is granted until 31 March 2021 and 30 June 2021 respectively. read more ...

Flemish Minister-President Jan Jambon announced in a press conference this afternoon that there will be a one-off grant of 3,000 euros for companies that did not have to close down, but did see a serious decline in their turnover in the period from mid-March to the end of April. read more ...

In the context of the current coronavirus crisis, the Brussels-Capital Region has allocated a budget of EUR 150 million to assist businesses in difficulty. read more ...

To mitigate the financial impact of the coronavirus crisis on companies, the tax administration is granting an accelerated refund of the VAT credit on the current account (as at 31 March 2020). In this case, the refund will now be made by 30 April instead of 29 May or 30 June. read more ...

The Walloon government has set up an extraordinary solidarity fund to support Walloon companies during this period of crisis. read more ...

The coronavirus crisis is having a huge impact on the cash position of our companies. The tax authorities have already partly responded to this by granting deferrals of payment, either automatically or on request. Nevertheless, entrepreneurs are still confronted with cash flow problems, for instance loans that have to be repaid. The Minister of Finance has now drawn up an agreement with the financial sector in order to address these problems. read more ...

As a result of COVID-19, more and more entrepreneurs are dealing with outstanding receivables. Do these receivables qualify as impaired for tax purposes? read more ...

Due to the strict measures being taken to combat coronavirus, increasing numbers of Belgians are working from home. Homeworking is in any case quite normal nowadays. The Belgian Ruling Committee launched a fast-track procedure for applications concerning costs proper to the employer for working from home in the context of the government measures for Covid-19. read more ...

As a result of coronavirus, many employees are working from home. However, for employees who work across borders, this can have far-reaching consequences in terms of taxes and social security contributions. To counteract these consequences, the Belgian authorities have introduced a number of tolerances. read more ...

In times of coronavirus, teleworking, or working from home, is the 'new normal'. Increasing numbers of employees are therefore also working at home. But are your employees also insured for an accident at work? We looked into it. read more ...

In recent days, the government has already taken a great deal of drastic measures to contain the spread of the virus as quickly as possible. Employers are also doing everything possible to protect their employees as best they can. But what if you, as the employer, personally become ill, or what if you are placed in quarantine? And what if you have to halt your salary temporarily? read more ...

It was recently confirmed that the procedure in respect of temporary unemployment will be substantially simplified. This was approved today by the Council of Ministers. This simplified procedure will ensure that you, as an employer, can devote extra attention to payroll processing in the months ahead. read more ...

Self-employed persons who have to compulsorily or 'voluntarily' close their business in full or in part, can invoke the bridging right. Below is a summary of the main rules. read more ...

The Flemish government has decided that all companies and shops have the right to a lump-sum compensation payment if they have been forced to close their doors due to the measures linked to corona virus. Restaurants, cafés, shops, etc. that have to close completely, but also businesses that only have to stay shut during the weekend, are eligible to receive this ‘corona disruption payment’. read more ...

The 17th of March, the government announced additional measures in the fight against coronavirus. In the interests of both our staff and clients, we have also recently taken the necessary precautions and we are strictly adhering to the government's recommendations. read more ...

The effects of the coronavirus are already being felt in numerous Belgian companies today. The federal government has therefore adopted a number of measures to protect entrepreneurs from the possible economic consequences of the coronavirus. Are you up to date? read more ...