+++ EU - 2009 VAT refund deadline delayed from Sep 2010 to Mar 2011 +++ Poland - 1% VAT increase to 23% +++ Australia - Victoria Fire Service Levy to be scrapped in July 2012 +++ UK - VAT to increase from Jan 2011 +++ Romania - increases VAT 5% to 24% +++ UK - confusion on UK 1% IPT increase +++ Andorra - 4.5% VAT to be introduced +++ India - GST to be implemented April 2011 at three standard rates +++ Bulgaria - to introduce insurance premium tax at 2% +++ Finland - VAT and IPT raised to 23% +++ Belgium - the 9.25% insurance premium tax on credit insurance has been withdrawn +++ Canada - HST introduced in British Columbia and Ontario +++ Hungary - implements insurance premium tax +++ Bulgaria - Intrastat reporting thresholds increased +++ UK - HMRC backs down on VAT on InsuranceWide comparison website +++ France - changes requirements for fiscal rep on insurance +++ Bulgaria - New proposals being pushed with the World Bank to introduce mandatory Catastrope Fund to cover earthquakes etc. +++ +++ EU adopts new VAT Directive on electronic invoices +++ Portugal - increased VAT by 1% to 21% +++ New Zealand - increases GST to 15% +++ Spain - VAT rate increases to 18% +++ Croatia - a 10% motor 3rd party liablitiy risk premium will be charged from 2009 to cover traffic accident costs +++ Czech Republic - new rules on non-resident traders extends the requirement to VAT register +++ Greece in second emergency VAT increase from July +++ Hungary - increased VAT rate to 25% +++ Czech Republic - proposal to change VAT payment point to when cash received +++ Mexico - simplification of VAT reporting +++ EU - ECJ court ruling imposes VAT on salary sacrifice schemes and vouchers +++ Italy - extends reverse charge on VAT for foreign companies +++ Denmark - extension of VAT reverse charge on services from non-resident suppliers +++ Panama - increases VAT to 7% +++ Denmark - overhaul of VAT registration process to comply with EU employment law +++ Estonia - reduced VAT increased from 5% to 9%; many items now on standard rate +++ France - National Guarantee Fund levy on insurance premiums is rising +++ Mexico - increases VAT 1% to 16% +++ Estonia - 2% increased VAT from July 09 to help combat financial crisis +++ EU - New proposals to force all EU member states to switch to monthly VAT reporting to help combat fraud +++ EU - more proof required for VAT import exemptions for onward supply relief +++ EU - Revised Mutual Assistance Directive issued to assist tax authorities share information on VAT and IPT +++ EU - new electronic service to verify authenticity of VAT numbers +++ Finland - Traffic Safety Charge for 2009 will be Euro 7.2m +++ France - Tough new invoice requirements to help combat fraud +++ Taiwan - introduces VAT refunds for non-resident businesses +++ France - French Motor Insurance Parafiscal Charge hike from 0.1% to 0.6% +++ France - Natural Disaster Compensation Scheme has increased again from 8% to 12% +++ France - New information requirements for foreign companies applying for non-resident VAT registrations +++ Taiwan - introduces VAT refunds for non-resident businesses +++ France - Confirmation of changes to ACOSS levies, which are now managed by URSSAF +++ Germany - New IPT levy on Surety and Financial Guarantee reinsurance +++ India - sets CENVAT at 10.3% Germany - valid VAT number may not be sufficient evidence alone to allow for zero rating on intra-community supply +++ Germany - proposal to scap the requirement for annual VAT returns +++ Greece - withdrawal of Stamp Duty underway; Life and Damage insurance now exempt +++ Hungary - rules on tax point (now when invoice paid) creates risks for VAT recovery +++ India - many new activities brought into Service Tax regime +++ Hungary - Aircraft hull and aviation liability is now exempt from the 1.5% Fire Brigade Charge +++ Ireland - New retrictions on VAT relief on bad debts +++ Ireland - government insurance levy on non-Life increases from 2% to 3%; new 1% levy on Life +++ Mexico - simplification of VAT reporting +++ Italy - Hunting Accident Victims' Fund changed to 5% of 94% of premium +++ Italy - Scraping of the requirement on VAT-registered businesses for the annual filing of lists of customers and suppliers +++ Italy - Court ruling that VAT reclaims deadline should be two years +++ Italy - potential to defer VAT payments to point where cash received +++ Latvia - standard rate VAT increased by 3% to 21% from Jan 2009 +++ Latvia - 2% VAT increase to take standard rate to 23% from 2010 +++ Luxembourg - Fiscal representation revived for importers of goods +++ Luxembourg - international shipping vessels registered in Lux are IPT exempt +++ Netherlands, The - Tax authorities increase IPT rate from 7% to 7.5% +++ Poland - Potential for quarterly VAT returns +++ Poland - Plans for reverse charge on consignment stock +++ Poland - New 12% Parafiscal Charge on Motor Liability contracts to cover medical care at accidents +++ Poland - improved import VAT set-off scheme for established importers +++ Poland - Polish insurance chamber of commerce says 12% levy on 3rd party motor insurance to go +++ Poland - motor liability insurance is now exempt from the Fire Brigade Tax +++ Romania - Proposals being drawn up with the World Bank for new compulsory national catastrophe program +++ Romania - invoice issuing deadline has been extended to 15 days after the month of the taxable supply +++ Slovakia - adoption of the Euro brings new VAT return form +++ Slovakia - calls for increased VAT rate from the IMF +++ Spain - switch from quarterly to monthly VAT returns proposed +++ Spain - online submissions for non-residents; local bank account still required +++ Sweden - IPT now introduced at 32% of gross premiums on 3rd party liability risks +++ Sweden - group life insurance from Swedish or EU insurers is exempt from IPT +++ Switzerland - VAT rate increase to 8% in 2011 +++ Ukraine - VAT e-filling obligatory +++ United Kingdom - VAT registration threshold increased to GBP70k +++ Seychelles - introduction of VAT at 10% in 2012 +++ Jersey - call for rise in 3% VAT rate +++ Romania - imposes intra-community supply registers +++ India - GST implementation now planned for April 2011 +++ UK - wins ECJ case on restricting VAT refunds to non-EU banks and insurers +++

Belgium VAT Registration

Belgium comes under the EU VAT regime, and is part of the European Union single market economy. VAT Directives are issued by the EU which lay out the principles of the VAT regime to be adopted by the member states. These Directives take precedent over local legislation.

Click here if you would like free guidance on Belgian VAT and compliance.

Belgium VAT Law


The Belgian VAT law is contained within the Value Added Tax Code (1993). It is administered by the Ministry of Finance.

Belgian VAT Registration


Foreign companies may register in Belgium for VAT without the need to form a local company – know as non-resident VAT trading. There is no VAT threshold in Belgium for the registration of non-resident traders – a VAT number must be in place before the commencement of taxable supplies.

There are strict rules on the situations where a registration is permitted. Common scenarios which require a Belgian VAT registration include:

  • Importing goods into Belgium;
  • Buying and selling goods within Belgium;
  • Organising live events, conferences etc in Belgium (temporary registration);
  • Holding goods in a warehouse in Belgium as stock;
  • 'Supply and install' services;
  • Selling goods from Belgium to other EU countries; and
  • Distance selling to private individuals, e.g. internet retailing.


Registering for Belgian VAT generally takes 3-4 weeks, although this can vary.

Belgian VAT Compliance


There are detailed rules controlling the recording and processing of Belgian transactions. These include guidelines on:

  • Belgian invoice requirements;
  • Foreign currency reporting; and
  • Credit notes and corrections.


Belgian VAT Rates


The standard VAT rate in Belgium is 21%. There are reduced rates of 12% and 6%.

There are many variations to the rates above, including exempt and zero-rated taxable supplies. Please contact us to learn more:

belgium@tmf-vat.com

Belgian VAT Returns


Companies with a Belgian VAT number must submit periodic returns detailing all taxable supplies (sales) and inputs (costs). Generally, returns are submitted quarterly in Belgium – although monthly returns are sometimes required. VAT returns in Belgium are due by the 20th of the month following the reporting period.

Belgian Intrastat and EC Sales Lists


In addition to VAT returns in Belgium, companies may be required to submit additional statistical information. The Belgian Intrastat system, (or supplementary statistical declaration), requires a monthly return listing all movement of goods between Belgium and other EU-member states. The EC Sales List (ECSL) return contains information on the VAT numbers of customers and the values of sales in the period to them. There are annual thresholds for these filings.

Click here to read more about Intrastat and EC Sales Lists

Belgian VAT Refunds


If a foreign company is selling goods in Belgium, but is not required to obtain an Belgian VAT number, or simply incurring Belgian VAT on local goods or services, then Belgian VAT may recovered through a VAT reclaim.

For more details, click here to read about our VAT Recovery service

To talk about our Belgian VAT services, enquiries should contact TMF’s UK office, which co-ordinates TMF's European VAT services. TMF has offices in Brussels.

vat@tmf-vat.com

+44 (0)870 067 8881
 
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