March 2025 - Social media offer entrepreneurs a dynamic platform to connect directly with their target audience. But how do you create an authentic and authoritative brand online with tens of thousands of followers?
Social media enables two-way communication. ➤

March 2025 - Cybercrime is evolving rapidly, and 60% of Belgian SMEs are exposed to it.
In this article, we analyze some emerging threats, provide tips for preventive measures and discuss the importance of investing in modern security systems. ➤

March 2025 - The current labor market is making ever higher and more specific demands on talent, while available candidates are becoming scarcer. Too often, organizations look for talent outside their own walls, while the “white ravens” are already present within the organization. You just have to discover them. ➤

March 2025 - Does your company operate across national borders? Then keep a close eye on the following tax reform measures from De Wever I's federal coalition agreement. They can have a significant impact on your business activities over time. ➤

March 2025 - As an entrepreneur, you know that success depends not only on hard work, but also on reliable goods and services, efficient service and high customer satisfaction.  ISO standards can be an important means of achieving this objective. But what exactly are these standards? And why are they so valuable for your business? ➤

March 2025 - To support SMEs in collecting and sharing their sustainability data, Febelfin and Isabel are launching an innovative digital platform. This platform offers a uniform, secure and simple way to report ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) data. SMEs can thus more easily meet the expectations of banks, investors and large companies… ➤

March 2025 - Many entrepreneurs think that a low price gives them a competitive advantage. But did you know that being too cheap can have just the opposite effect? Customers often associate price with quality. Pricing that is too low can raise suspicion: ‘What's wrong… ➤

March 2025 - On 3 February 2025, the federal government De Wever I took the oath of office.
The coalition agreement includes a series of fiscal reforms that have yet to be enacted into law.
Which measures are in the pipeline in the coming years? ➤

March 2025 - De Wever I's coalition agreement introduces a series of reforms to modernise the labour market and create a balance between job security, social protection and flexibility. For entrepreneurs and the self-employed, the agreement contains some important measures. Which measures… ➤

February 2025 - Choosing a new location for a company warehouse is a strategic decision that has a direct impact on the efficiency and growth of your business.
The right warehouse not only ensures better logistics, but also helps save costs and serve your customers faster.
Choosing a warehouse in six steps: ➤

February 2025 - The VSME standard, a new voluntary framework for sustainability reporting, will be officially launched in 2025.
This tool is specifically designed to support SMEs in reporting their sustainability efforts.
What is the VSME and who is it for? ➤

February 2025 - A revamped investment deduction system has been in place in Belgium since 1 January 2025. This reform, established via a Royal Decree on 20 December 2024, aims to simplify the complex rules for entrepreneurs while giving them more legal certainty. Under the new system, entrepreneurs… ➤

February 2025 - Loyal customers are the backbone of any successful business.
They not only keep coming back, but also act as ambassadors of your brand. But how do successful brands build a loyal customer base?
Here are some lessons you can apply to build customer loyalty. ➤

February 2025 - Entrepreneurship is hugely rewarding, but it also brings moments of uncertainty and setbacks. Whether it's economic headwinds, falling sales or personal stress, staying motivated can be a challenge. Here are some practical strategies to maintain your motivation, even in difficult times. ➤

February 2025 - Traditional marketing messages often get lost in the crowd. But there is a powerful tool that can make your message stand out: storytelling. Stories have the unique gift of evoking emotions, inspiring and connecting. How can you use storytelling to strengthen your communication? 1. Why does storytelling work? People are… ➤

February 2025 - Social media is a must for entrepreneurs who want their business to be seen online. But did you know that your success on Facebook, Instagragm, LinkedIn and Tiktok is largely determined by algorithms? These sophisticated systems decide who sees your content - and who doesn't. Do you want to make sure your posts stand… ➤

February 2025 - Excellent customer service is one of the foundations of a successful business. It not only helps keep customers happy, but also build loyalty and enhance a positive reputation. These seven practical tips will help you future-proof your customer service: 1. Invest in training: Your team is the face of your customer service. ➤

February 2025 - In 2025, as a business owner or consultant, you need to consider numerous new measures. These novelties may have an impact on your business operations. We list some notable changes. 1. Taxation - New size criteria for companies: The conditions for being considered a ‘small… ➤

February 2025 - In a persistently challenging economic context, Belgian SMEs remain remarkably optimistic. This is evident from the latest edition of the semi-annual ‘SME Work Barometer’, conducted by Acerta in cooperation with ETION and VKW Limburg. Although confidence has declined slightly, many entrepreneurs see future… ➤

January 2025 - The new year is upon us, and for entrepreneurs, this presents a unique opportunity to reinvent not only your business but also yourself.
Pause for a challenging thought: what if you had to rebuild your entire business from scratch? What would that look like?
This is the time to answer that question. ➤

January 2025 - The end of the year is approaching, and that is often a busy but also inspiring period for entrepreneurs. While the last orders are coming in and you might be organising another Christmas party, it is also a good time to look ahead. How do you make sure your business is ready for a successful new year? Here are three concrete tips. ➤

January 2025 - As an SME entrepreneur, you know how important it is to control costs.
Every euro you save can be reinvested in your business.
But saving without sacrificing quality?
That requires a smart approach.
Here are five practical tips you can apply today. ➤

January 2025 - From early 2025, the legal retirement age in Belgium will be raised from 65 to 66. This will affect all workers aged 65 and younger.
Yet 8 in 10 workers do not believe they will be able to work that long, according to research by Securex.
This percentage has remained almost stable since 2019. ➤

January 2025 - For SMEs, 2024 was a tough year. According to the UNIZO SME Barometer, which recorded a negative score for the thirteenth quarter in a row, we closed with one of the worst results in a decade. Bankruptcies spike, entrepreneurs are pessimistic about the economy and profitability remains a major problem. The outlook for 2025… ➤

January 2025 - For business owners and their tax advisers, year-end is always another challenging and stressful period. This annual process requires precision and planning, but fortunately there are ways to make it more efficient. What are the key points of focus in this process? How can a practical checklist… ➤

January 2025 - From 1 January 2025, the investment deduction landscape in Belgium will change dramatically. Whereas entrepreneurs and companies could previously deduct almost any investment, the updated regulations call for a more targeted approach. As an entrepreneur, you can include… ➤

January 2025 - From 1 January 2025, there will be a new temporary simplified scheme for reimbursement of electricity costs when employees charge their company car at home. For employees who charge their electric company cars at home, there will be greater clarity… ➤

January 2025 - The year 2025 will bring a series of changes on the VAT front. Deadlines, procedures and practicalities will all be updated. Wider deadline for quarterly returns. For businesses filing VAT returns quarterly, the deadline will be extended. From 2025, you will get until the 25th day of the month following the quarter to file and pay your return. ➤

January 2025 - From 1 January 2025, the discount on social security contributions for employers who keep employees aged 62 and over will disappear in Flanders. What Flemish tax breaks will be retained in the coming year, though? Target group discounts As an employer, you can benefit from various target group discounts, which reduce social… ➤

December 2024 - Artificial intelligence (AI) has long ceased to be a futuristic concept. Big companies like Google and Amazon have been using AI technology for years, but it also offers huge opportunities for SMEs. This article lists what AI can do for your business and how you can start using it. What can AI do for your SME? ➤

December 2024 - The European Forest Regulation, or EUDR, gets a one-year reprieve. This means large companies will not have to comply with the new rules until 30 December 2025. For SMEs, the deadline is 30 June 2026. The decision comes after mounting pressure from several… ➤

December 2024 - 1. Unfavourable business climate: It is no secret that the business climate in Belgium has become more difficult. Confidence among Belgian entrepreneurs has fallen in recent months, partly due to rising labour costs and uncertainties in international markets. This affects many sectors, from construction to manufacturing… ➤

December 2024 - From 1 January 2025, the digital control card for temporary unemployment will become mandatory, with the paper version disappearing completely. This switch offers several advantages. As an employer, when you decide to make an employee temporarily unemployed, the employment… ➤

December 2024 - Absenteeism in Belgium reached record levels in the first half of 2024, with a notable rise in absenteeism among young workers. Medium-term absenteeism (absences of one month to one year) rose by 8% and long-term absenteeism (longer than one year) by 7%. The biggest increase was seen among 25- to 34-year-olds… ➤

December 2024 - Should you hire new employees to meet the growing demands of your business, or is it wiser to invest in training your current team? Both options have benefits, but which is best for your business? 1. Recruiting can quickly provide the right expertise. If you need specific skills that your... ➤

December 2024 - With the introduction of the new Private Investigation Act, internal investigations into personnel are more strictly regulated. The law replaces the outdated Private Investigation Act of 1991. The new regulations - which are expected to come into force by the end of 2024 - apply to companies that want to investigate, for example, fraud… ➤

December 2024 - Invoice fraud affects countless individuals and businesses every year. With the rise of digital fraud, criminals are now also trying to digitally penetrate mailboxes or information systems, where they modify account numbers or create fake invoices. In invoice fraud, criminals intercept a real invoice - often from a mailbox… ➤

December 2024 - From 1 January 2025, the Belgian legislator is modernising the VAT declaration procedure and the collection of tax and non-tax debts. One of the biggest changes is the automatic monthly refund for all monthly declarants, who will no longer need a special licence. For quarterly filers, the filing deadline is extended to the 25th day of the... ➤

December 2024 - Since 1 November 2024, four new support zones have been introduced in Flanders to replace the existing ones, and the dislocated zone aid will be extended for a period of six years.
This support measure offers companies investing in these zones a significant reduction in their wage costs when… ➤

November 2024 - Public procurement offers entrepreneurs opportunities beyond the traditional market. From small SMEs to larger companies, every type of business can benefit from stable and often lucrative contracts. Here are some reasons why it can be beneficial to win public procurement contracts. Government contracts offer… ➤

November 2024 - Belgian SMEs are increasingly struggling with applicants who have unrealistic salary expectations. About half of the SMEs surveyed face non-market-compliant wage demands, according to a survey by SD Worx. On average, half of all SMEs receive applicants with unrealistic… ➤

November 2024 - As an entrepreneur, you naturally want to get the most out of your business without paying unnecessary taxes. Fortunately, there are several ways to get money out of your business in a tax-friendly way. Below are five tips to do this smartly and legally. One of the most common ways to… ➤

November 2024 - The Voluntary Reporting Standard for SMEs (VSME) is an initiative of the European Union and EFRAG. It provides unlisted SMEs with a standardised way to report sustainability information. The VSME provides an accessible method to share sustainability efforts. ➤

November 2024 - An annual survey by SD Worx of over 16,000 employees in ten European countries, including a thousand working Belgians, shows that almost half of under-25s would like to start their own business.
This trend can also be seen at Xerius, the largest business counter for self-employed people in our country. ➤

November 2024 - From 1 January 2026, all Belgian VAT-registered companies must use inter-company structured electronic invoices. Want to check whether your company's e-invoicing software complies with the new regulations? Electronic invoices are documents exchanged directly between the software of different companies. ➤

November 2024 - In our digital world, a business app is not a luxury but a strategic necessity. Why your organisation, employees and customers will also benefit from having their own mobile app, you will read below. 1. An app puts you in your customer's pocket It is every business leader's dream to be… ➤

November 2024 - The CSRD has made corporate sustainability a central pillar of many companies' strategies.  More transparency about and better quality of sustainability information: that's what it's all about. How do you best approach communication on corporate sustainability? ➤

November 2024 - A survey by HR consultancy Hudson (part of Randstad Group) shows that only 10 per cent of Belgian organisations use the legal mobility budget. According to figures from SD Worx, 852 companies offered the legal mobility budget in 2023. This measure was introduced in 2019 as an alternative to the company car. ➤

November 2024 - In a family business, business and emotional interests are often closely intertwined. This can lead to complex and sensitive situations that potentially impact business strategy and growth. A family charter, also known as a family protocol, is, therefore, an important document. ➤

October 2024 - For many SME entrepreneurs, growth is the ultimate ambition. Growing not only means more customers and turnover, but also strengthening one's position in the market and ensuring future-proofing. Yet it turns out that a lack of financial resources often puts a brake on this ambition. How can SMEs... ➤

October 2024 - Time is one of the most valuable resources for any entrepreneur, and efficient time management can make the difference between success and stagnation. Especially for SMEs, where the entrepreneur often plays multiple roles, it is essential to make the best use of the time available. Here are three practical tips for better time... ➤

October 2024 - Although their small scale gives them advantages, SMEs often struggle with limited financial resources to invest in innovation. To address this problem, the FPS Economy launched a campaign to inform SMEs about the various financing options available. In Belgium, the vast majority of SMEs have fewer than ten employees. ➤

October 2024 - A survey by SD Worx shows that about half of Belgian SMEs offer company cars to their employees. These vehicles are mainly used as function cars, mainly for visiting customers. Companies with less than three cars form the majority, but larger organisations often have more. Especially in Brussels and Wallonia, company... ➤

October 2024 - Growing SMEs, especially in manufacturing and services, face significant challenges they must overcome to remain successful. We identify five critical levers that companies need to work on to achieve sustainable growth. 1. Strategy: One of the biggest pitfalls for growing companies is the lack of a clear, forward-looking strategy. ➤

October 2024 - Do you employ one or more employees? Then it is a wise choice to have the administrative follow-up - from payroll to time credit - done by specialists. As many as 90 per cent of Belgian companies are affiliated to a social secretariat. Knowing that such affiliation is not a legal obligation, it can't be a coincidence that so many... ➤

October 2024 - When you leave on holiday, check carefully that all the windows and doors of your home are locked. After all, you don't want to give burglars or other unwanted visitors a chance to steal valuables. The same goes for your business. Securing data against hackers should always be an absolute priority. Yet many companies still... ➤

October 2024 - From 1 January 2025, the quasi-immunity of auxiliary persons, such as freelancers and subcontractors, will change. As an entrepreneur, what do you need to know about this? As part of a modernised Civil Code, the new Book 6 of the Civil Code was adopted on 1 February 2024. Subsequently, the federal government approved an... ➤

October 2024 - In a fast-growing SME, it is crucial that the organisational structure and culture keep pace with this growth. With the new grant call ‘Organising differently’, Europe WSE - formerly known as ESF Flanders - supports SMEs in this growth process. Which talent do you deploy for new tasks? How do you create a broad support base... ➤

October 2024 - In a business that attracts new customers, generates additional turnover and hires new employees, you as an employer need to consider additional obligations. Each time a cape in the workforce is crossed (20, 50 or 100 employees), new legal ground rules come into play. How do you keep a clear... ➤

June 2024 - As a manager in a service and installation company, you are responsible for managing the technicians on the job. Naturally, you do everything possible to ensure that this runs as efficiently as possible, but that does not prevent things from going wrong from time to time. In this article, we show… ➤

June 2024 - Do you want to stay one step ahead of your competitors? Then it is a good idea to regularly update your expertise and skills. In this article, you will learn how to approach that. Brushing up on your knowledge? Choosing the right tools for your office? Or develop your soft skills? By continuously working on yourself and your employees… ➤

June 2024 - Maintenance mechanic, electrician, site manager or mechanic? The shortage of technically skilled profiles is acute. And this is felt by service and installation companies, which are finding it increasingly difficult to find suitable staff. A solid recruitment strategy is a must to find the right people, but how do you make sure your employees.. ➤

June 2024 - As if a long-term sick person does not have it hard enough, another threat lurks: the fade-out. The longer a sick colleague remains absent, the harder it becomes to return to work. The remedy for this is keeping in touch, embedded in a solid reintegration process. Figures from the federal health… ➤

June 2024 - From 1 January 2026, structured electronic invoices will become the norm for transactions between Belgian companies. In this article, we list everything you need to know about e-invoicing. What is electronic invoicing or e-invoicing? When we talk about electronic invoicing, or e-invoicing, we are not talking… ➤

June 2024 - The sole proprietorship is and remains by far the most popular business form for start-ups. Unlike a company, you and your sole proprietorship are one entity, with no distinction between private assets and those of your business. The downside of this is that you face a high tax burden in personal income tax, supplemented… ➤

June 2024 - On 22 December 2023, the federal parliament approved new legislation on Controlled Foreign Companies (CFCs). Since tax year 2024 - financial years ending on 31 December 2023 or later - as a Belgian business group or holding company, you have to take into account an extended… ➤

June 2024 - On 20 March 2024, the chamber approved at first reading a new bill on investment deduction reform. We expect this revision to effectively pass the final reading, with ‘supporting the investment climate and green energy transition in Belgium’ being the main objective. The new investment deduction regime will apply to fixed assets… ➤

June 2024 - In a previous news item, we informed you about the launch of the Federal Learning Account (FLA), where, as part of the employment deal, you are required as an employer to record both formal and informal training within the employment relationship in this separate database. ➤

June 2024 - Since 2024, there is a disclosure requirement regarding VAT deduction for mixed and partial taxable persons. This applies to taxable persons using the general ratio or actual use. Mixed taxpayers applying the general ratio. For this group, the ratio number basically determines the right to… ➤

May 2024 - Being held liable after a workplace accident or having to pay a hefty compensation claim? For business owners, it is their worst nightmare. With these tips, you can protect yourself to the max. 1.   Clear general terms and conditions. Companies can be held liable not only by their employees, but also by their customers or suppliers. ➤

May 2024 - ERP or Enterprise Resource Planning is an umbrella term for software that centralises all kinds of business processes (logistics, administrative, financial, ?) in a single management and information platform. ERP software enables far-reaching automation, allowing companies, including yours, to work more efficiently. Even on the road. ➤

May 2024 - Donating money to a recognised charity is tax deductible. Provided you meet a number of conditions.
If you make a donation of at least 40 euros (to one association or institution), you are eligible for a tax reduction. Of course, higher amounts or… ➤

May 2024 - Working for the government is getting easier for SMEs, thanks to the new e-procurement platform and a federal charter. All public procurement tailored to SMEs is collected on the revamped e-procurement platform. There, entrepreneurs now find what they are looking for even faster and easier. ➤

May 2024 - Spurred by Europe, 'the special tax exemption scheme for small businesses' in the VAT Code is being amended. This will allow small businesses established in another European member state but carrying out taxable transactions in our country to opt to benefit from a VAT exemption. The new measure will enter into force on… ➤

May 2024 - In early 2022, many entrepreneurs got acquainted for the first time with Reprobel, the body responsible for the collection and redistribution of reproduction remunerations. Again this year, many entrepreneurs received a letter or e-mail asking them to submit their returns before 30 April 2024. What do you need to know about this? ➤

May 2024 - Based on the Act of 5 November 2023 containing various provisions on economy, as entered into force on 21 December 2023, since the end of 2023, the FPS Finance has a new ground for ex officio removal of a company from the CBE: non-compliance with UBO formalities. The consequences are immediately visible… ➤

May 2024 - On 20 March 2024, the federal government approved the reduced VAT rate of 6% for demolition and reconstruction projects followed by the construction of rental housing. ➤

May 2024 - The applicable VAT regime for virtual events - such as livestream training courses, online sports activities, online conferences,? - exist within the various EU member states, there is a lot of uncertainty.
Currently, if you provide services of a cultural, artistic, sporting, scientific or entertainment nature, they are… ➤

May 2024 - On 4 April 2024, the federal parliament finally approved the pension reform. Some notable measures include a pension bonus of 33,975 euros for those working for three years and stricter conditions for the minimum pension. Pension bonus up to more than €30,000. ➤

April 2024 - Do you want the brightest minds and strongest profiles on your company's payroll? Here are seven tips every HR professional should take to heart. 1. Show your added value. Are you going to draft a job advertisement or interview? Then try to convey very precisely how your company makes a difference for your staff… ➤

April 2024 - How can CRM tools boost your sales? Which tools are available and which functionalities offer real added value? CRM software has evolved a lot in recent years. It has evolved from a modern and expensive gadget reserved for large companies to an indispensable tool for every company, regardless of turnover or number of employees. ➤

April 2024 - A competitive analysis is an essential part of the business plan and an indispensable policy tool for managers and entrepreneurs. At least if it is clearly and insightfully prepared. But how do you get started? And where do you get the right data? Competitive analysis is part of the business or business plan. The aim is to paint a clear picture of a… ➤

April 2024 - A business plan is an essential document for any (starting) company. It describes your activity, the market you operate in, your competitors and your financial challenges. It helps you achieve your goals and overcome obstacles - not only during the start-up phase of your business but also later. ➤

April 2024 - For a service company, ‘service' is undoubtedly its greatest asset. You would rather not leave customers with a broken heating or electricity installation out in the cold for too long. So, your organisation needs to run on wheels to carry out interventions quickly and efficiently. ➤

April 2024 - The number of cyber-attacks and incidents has been rising sharply in recent years. Moreover, hackers are becoming increasingly creative, threatening companies with ransomware, data breaches, phishing, CEO fraud or reports on the dark web. To address this worrying phenomenon and make European member… ➤

April 2024 - Mixed taxpayers are taxpayers who carry out both taxed and exempt transactions. Due to this mixed tax liability, there is no full right to VAT deduction. That deduction can be made on the basis of the general ratio or by applying actual use. Mixed taxpayers must report their use through a notification. ➤

April 2024 - By RD of 12 January 2024 (publication on 25 January 2024), the reference interest rates for cheap loans were published. These reference rates are used to calculate the benefit in kind for a loan granted by a company to its director(s) or employee(s). This is also used to determine the overdraft interest rate for the 2023 income year. ➤

April 2024 - From 1 January 2026, the mandatory introduction of digital invoicing is imminent for Belgian companies. In early 2024, the Belgian Chamber of Representatives approved a change in the law that gives companies a tax advantage when they switch to e-invoicing. Specifically, sole traders and SMEs will enjoy… ➤

April 2024 - A company or sole proprietorship that makes too few advance payments of its income taxes must reckon with a tax increase. Until the financial year 2023, this increment was 6.75% or 4.5%. For the financial year 2024, it will be 9%. So, a proactive prepayment strategy is not a luxury! ➤

March 2024 - The House plenary approved a bill requiring retailers to accept cash payments. According to European regulations, customers in the European Union must be free to choose whether to pay in cash or electronically. However, the number of stores where this is not possible is increasing. More and more merchants are refusing cash… ➤

March 2024 - By the end of March, companies with 20 or more employees must have a labour deal training plan ready. A survey shows that nearly 4 in 10 SMEs have that plan ready today. About a third have yet to start.
What is the labour deal?
The labour deal contains a series of measures to reform the labour market. ➤

March 2024 - Digital invoicing between companies will be mandatory from Jan. 1, 2026. Still a long way off, you think? Yet you'd better not wait too long. Mandatory digital invoicing is the brainchild of Finance Minister Vincent van Peteghem (CD&V). But Belgium is anything but a pioneer: countries such as Italy, France and Poland have embraced… ➤

March 2024 - Whoever says artificial intelligence, says ChatGPT. But is the chatbot worth anything in your business? ChatGPT is based on a language model trained by OpenAI to handle a wide range of textual tasks. It is important to note that ChatGPT does not understand what it writes, it is only lol at estimating how human language works. ➤

March 2024 - The three letters stand for Environmental, Social and Governance. But what else do you know about ESG? And why is it something you really can't ignore this year as an entrepreneur? Sustainability and corporate social responsibility are terms that have been around for a long time. Most entrepreneurs don't lose any sleep over them. But that will soon change. ➤

March 2024 - At the start of a new year, we give you an overview of changes to the registration duties on real estate in Flanders. A landlord or leaseholder must pay registration fees on the total fees it pays to the landlord or leaseholder. Since Jan. 1, 2024, this fee has increased from 2% to 5%. (To refresh, the right of superficies is the right… ➤

March 2024 - At the end of January 2024, Finance Minister Vincent Van Peteghem reached an agreement within the federal regulation to determine the reference CO2 emissions for commercial vehicles. CO2 emissions are an important parameter to calculate the benefit in kind (VAA) for company cars. ➤

March 2024 - Like every year, in 2024 you will have to consider new tax rules that may impact your company and employees. We highlight some notable measures: Tax limit amounts re-indexed: a whole series of federal tax caps were not indexed from income years 2020 through 2023. Starting in income year 2024, these amounts will again… ➤

March 2024 - In 2024 you can again submit a dossier for the SME growth subsidy on three occasions. With this subsidy instrument, the Flemish government wants to support SMEs in Flanders in their growth trajectory. That trajectory must be in line with one of the following important social themes: digitalization, sustainable… ➤

March 2024 - Since January. 1, 2024, you should expect significant changes regarding the VAT rate for demolition and reconstruction of private homes. Until now, you could apply (or have applied) the 6% rate only for renovations of homes older than 10 years and for demolition and reconstruction in 32 centre cities. Since Jan. 1, 2021… ➤

February 2024 - Employers who have to grant bicycle allowances to their employees based on NAR CBA No 164 can temporarily count on tax compensation in the form of a tax credit. As of 1 May 2023, it will be compulsory for employers who regularly cycle to work with their employees to pay a… ➤

February 2024 - In 2024, the European Union's Corporate Sustainability Reporting (CSRD) directive will come into force, a set of laws and decrees marking a new standard around sustainability reporting. Over 50,000 large and small companies will be impacted. On 5 January 2023, the Corporate… ➤

February 2024 - There have never been so many SMEs in Belgium as last year. 1.3 million to be precise. Almost half of them are one-person businesses. As shown by the annual SME barometer of data specialists Graydoncreditsafe and Unizo, things are going well for Belgian SMEs. ➤

February 2024 - Inventory management costs money. But those who are smart in the warehouse can reap commercial benefits from it. In Belgium, the cost of stock for the average SME is estimated at 15 to 20 per cent of the financial value of the stock. Yet, the stock is indispensable in many cases. For three reasons: Fast delivery increases your service. ➤

February 2024 - Whatever business you are in, at the end of the financial year, only one thing counts: the amount below the line. The financial management of your business, therefore, deserves full attention. An ERP system brings insight into your data and figures. The basis of sound financial management is up-to-date accounting. An ERP… ➤

February 2024 - The start of a new year always has a number of tax novelties in store. In 2024, too, you can expect a number of changes in corporate tax. Which changes should you take into account?
Statutory filing deadlines
As is its annual custom, the FPS Finance informs taxpayers of the tax... ➤

February 2024 - In 2024, you should consider some new HR measures for employers and employees. In this article, we list some of the critical changes.
Extension of date for presentation of purchasing power premium
Through the RD of 23 April 2023 on the purchasing power premium, well-performing companies can grant a one-off purchasing power premium… ➤

February 2024 - Until the tax year 2023, non-profit organisations, international not-for-profit organisations (NPOs) and private foundations were subject to a 0.17% tax on the value of their assets (albeit with an exemption of a first tranche of EUR 25,000 of assets). Since 1 January 2024, a reformed rate… ➤

February 2024 - As every year, there are a lot of striking VAT novelties in 2024. In this article, we list some important changes for you.
VAT identification number: technical adjustments
Based on a recent draft law, several technical adjustments are being made regarding the allocation of a VAT… ➤

February 2024 - On 12 October 2023, the Royal Decree was published, determining the scales and application modalities of administrative fines for taxpayers who fail to spontaneously declare their immovable property. These penalty scales also apply to foreign properties. Each owner, occupier, leaseholder, superficies holder or usufructuary must declare the… ➤

January 2024 - Increased interest rates are making retirement savings attractive again for the self-employed. We take a closer look at the various forms of saving through the second and third pillars. Third-pillar retirement savings involve savings where a deposit of 990 euros (1,270 euros) entitles you to a tax reduction of 30 (25) per cent. In… ➤

January 2024 - What are the deadlines for corporate and personal income tax returns for assessment year 2024? And what about car taxation? Three questions to start the new year well prepared.
What are the declaration deadlines for assessment year 2024 and subsequent years? ➤

January 2024 - A new (tax) year calls for a new annual calendar. In this overview, we list all the important dates (deadlines for VAT returns, withholding taxes, etc.) for the first quarter. Handy!

January

01/01: Happy New Year 
05/01: Rsz… ➤

January 2024 - Although work stress remains a concern, Flemish self-employed people's satisfaction is in good shape. This is according to research by SERV, the socio-economic council of Flanders.
Of the 1,788 Flemish self-employed who gave their input this year (in the first measurement since the corona… ➤

January 2024 - In March 2019, you as an employer had the opportunity to introduce the mobility budget in your company. As part of a simplification of this measure, a flat-rate formula to calculate this budget will be available from 1 January 2024. Through the mobility budget, an employee can exchange his or her company car for… ➤

January 2024 - Through a bill dated 19 October 2023, the federal government announced a new measure for tenants deducting rent paid as a professional expense. This bill was passed on 28 November 2023. Today, if an owner of a second home rents this property privately, it is not taxed on the real… ➤

January 2024 - Under the November 2022 labour deal, every full-time employee will be entitled to at least five training days a year from 2024. Before 2023, this amounted to four days. At the same time, this law requires companies employing at least 20 workers to draw up a training plan once a calendar year. ➤

January 2024 - The Miscellaneous Tax and Financial Provisions Act of 20 November 2022 extends the audit and assessment deadlines for income taxes in certain situations that the tax administration must take into account. The applicable three-year period for checking a timely filed and formally correct return remains unchanged. ➤

November 2023 - SMEs are pessimistic about their profitability and the rising number of late payments. This is according to the SME barometer of business association Unizo.
According to Unizo, the profitability problems are due to sharply rising wage costs and energy bills. These weigh on the cost structure of… ➤

November 2023 - On 14 November, the Flemish government agreed on the new nitrogen standards. The rules have quite an impact on agriculture and also businesses.
Whether the agreement is also legally watertight remains to be seen. But that there is an agreement can already be called a small miracle. For farmers and… ➤

November 2023 - Taking inventory a few times a year? It is a time-consuming and error-prone activity from which, unfortunately, you cannot escape. Fortunately, it can be done faster and more accurately. Software does the difficult counting and calculation in your place. Thanks to automated stock management, you always have up-to-date inventory figures. ➤

November 2023 - Is your accountant busy with the year-end closing process but can't imagine much about it? This article explains in non-technical terms what the year-end process entails, what exactly the government expects from you and your accountant, and what you, as a business owner, can do to help your accountant. ➤

November 2023 - If you invest in software, you (rightly) set high standards for performance, user-friendliness and versatility. But before buying, do you ever consider the security of your data? Cyber attacks and data breaches can cause a lot of (financial) damage - just check the newspapers. Moreover, when confidential business… ➤

November 2023 - From 2024, the federal government plans to modernise the registered cash register system (GKS). Specifically, this means that this system could also become mandatory in sectors other than the hospitality industry; the technology should become more compatible with new POS technology/software, and transaction data will be reported online in... ➤

November 2023 - The following holidays will apply in 2024:
·      New Year: Monday, 1 January
·      Easter Monday: Monday 1 April
·      Labour Day: Wednesday 1 May
·      Ascension Day: Thursday 9 May
·      Whit Monday: Monday 20 May
·      National Day: Sunday 21 July
·      Assumption Day: Thursday, 15 August… ➤

November 2023 - In autumn, the federal government reached an agreement on the 2024 budget. This agreement includes the measure that flexi-jobs will be extended to 12 new sectors from 1 January 2024.
With this measure, the federal government aims to address staff shortages in these sectors, allowing employers to deploy additional staff flexibly. ➤

November 2023 - Did you know that since 1 August 2023, details of persons on whom board prohibitions have been imposed will be registered, kept and amended in a central register of board prohibitions? Through this register, public authorities and third parties can check whether there is a board prohibition for the following mandates: director, manager… ➤

November 2023 - If an employee receives a bicycle allowance, this allowance is exempt from social and tax charges up to a certain amount. This bicycle allowance is currently capped at EUR 0.27. The Council of Ministers recently decided to increase this amount to EUR 0.35 from 1 January 2024. At the same time, an annual ceiling… ➤

October 2023 - Through the investment deduction, a company can exempt part of its profits for certain new investments made during the taxable period. What (changed) percentages for the investment deduction should you take into account? For investments obtained or made between 12/03/2020 and 31/12/2022, an increased… ➤

October 2023 - With the wage bonus (collective agreement 90), an employer has the possibility to grant its staff an advantageous bonus based on collective objectives. Such a form of remuneration is very advantageous from a fiscal and social point of view. ➤

October 2023 - On 7 June 2023, the restructuring directive 2019/1023 was implemented in Belgian law. The new law came into force on 1 September 2023, with an impact on all judicial reorganisation proceedings opened from that date. For SMEs, there are... ➤

October 2023 - From passenger cars to laptops: for many entrepreneurs, tax-friendly benefits in kind (VAA) are a popular way to supplement their monthly remuneration. Central to this is the favourable flat-rate basis for its taxation. These benefits include a wide range of perks, ranging from a private… ➤

October 2023 - At the end of September 2023, Finance Minister Vincent Van Peteghem reached an agreement in the Council of Ministers on the mandatory introduction of digital invoicing (e-invoicing) between companies from 1 January 2026. A generous… ➤

October 2023 - Empty shelves lead to increasing delivery times and dissatisfied customers. But excessive stock levels are also bad news for the profitability of your business. How to find the optimal stock level and four other crucial questions around optimal stock management, we answer in this article. ➤

October 2023 - Bogus self-employment is subject to severe penalties. Do you work exclusively for one client? Then you better play it safe. In this article, we point out some red flags. Sham self-employment is prohibited to protect the self-employed person from being abused by a principal and to avoid social... ➤

October 2023 - Since 1 October 2023, the interest rate for late payment interest on public contracts (both works, supplies and services) for the so-called 'oldest' contracts is 6.25%. The default interest rate for younger contracts has also increased. ➤

October 2023 - A new law of 5 June 2023 amends some measures regarding the appointment of employee representatives to works councils and committees for prevention and protection at work. The next social elections will take place from 13 to 26 May 2024. ➤

October 2023 - 1 in 3 Belgian SMEs still sends invoices by post. Remarkable, because from 1 January 2026 electronic invoicing between companies will become mandatory. The figures come from a survey by Horus Software, which asked 452 Belgian SMEs about their invoicing habits. To the question 'I send my invoice via ?… ➤

September 2023 - According to a study by HR services provider SD Worx, the four-day week has been introduced in just six per cent of Flemish SMEs. The federal government's employment deal, which aims to give more people the chance to find a job and boost flexibility, has not been a resounding success. ➤

September 2023 - As an entrepreneur, you like to show off your expertise. LinkedIn is the ideal tool for showcasing your knowledge and attracting attention to you and your company. How exactly does it work? Highlighting your expertise: Your target group needs to know that you're good at what you do, even before you... ➤

September 2023 - Are you a wholesaler or supplier? Then you absolutely must have an online shop. In this article, we'll show you how to create a successful B2B webshop and boost your online sales.

1. List all the information about the products you sell online ➤

September 2023 - Monitoring and keeping track of the figures are essential to ensure the financial health of your business. But which KPIs should you keep in mind? We have identified seven.

1.         Short and long-term cash flow analysis ➤

September 2023 - Stock management is an essential, but often unappreciated, part of business management. But intelligent management of your warehouse can give you a commercial advantage. Storing and managing stock is expensive. In Belgium, the cost of stock for an average SME is… ➤

September 2023 - In our country, all the lights are on to accelerate the electrification of company and organisation car fleets. Through new laws, subsidies and incentives, the various authorities are encouraging entrepreneurs and their employees to switch from fossil fuels to electricity. ➤

September 2023 - Mobility and sustainability are increasingly going hand in hand. On the tax front too, we can see that the two issues are very closely coordinated, not least through the law organising the "fiscal and social… ➤

September 2023 - On 6 April 2023, a new interprofessional agreement (AIP) was concluded within the Group of 10 - the summit of Belgian trade unions and employers'… ➤

September 2023 - Did you pay VAT on business expenses in another EU Member State in 2022, for example for a full tank of petrol or attendance at a trade fair? Under certain conditions, you can claim a refund of this VAT by means other than your... ➤

September 2023 - As a business owner or accountant, your diary fills up quickly with appointments and deadlines. You will no doubt have made a note in your diary of the most important dates in the 2023 tax calendar, so that you are always in good order, particularly when it comes to advance payments and… ➤

August 2023 - Seven out of ten SMEs are against further abolition of the sick note. This is the conclusion of a survey by SD Worx of 481 SME company managers. Staff planning becomes much more complex without the sick note, the criticism goes. Today, employees are allowed to be sick… ➤

August 2023 - As a proactive entrepreneur, you are constantly on the lookout for new business opportunities. However, attracting new customers requires time and a sound strategy. A convincing intake interview is a good start. In this article, we share five tips to make the first formal contact with new... ➤

August 2023 - The social inspectorate, the public prosecutor's office and the relevant services have recently acquired a new weapon in the fight against illegal labour and social fraud. The so-called e-Dossier platform should improve communication between the... ➤

August 2023 - Brussels businesses looking to reduce their energy consumption can still apply for a premium for investments or consultancy via the Brussels Economy and Employment website until 11 September 2023. The deadline thus moves forward by two... ➤

August 2023 - Time is money. And in a wholesale business, a little more so. Delivery times are sacred to your customers, so all wholesale business processes must be perfectly aligned. These three letters can make your life a lot easier: ERP. ➤

August 2023 - The summer holidays are an excellent time to recruit students as extra m/f staff in your company. In this recruitment process, however, it is important that you carefully follow the legal ground rules so that you do not face expensive fines. We… ➤

August 2023 - As a company manager, you can include several specific flat-rate expense allowances from your company. Think, for example, of mileage allowances and daily and travel allowances. In addition, you can also allow yourself a general lump-sum… ➤

August 2023 - On 5 August 2023, the new RD containing various provisions amending AR/CIR92 came into force. We list some significant changes for you. From the assessment year 2026, a phase-out... ➤

August 2023 - Perhaps you already had to deal with it: customers who don't pay your invoices or pay them late. It is not only annoying but downright dangerous for your business. What stick do you have to tackle late payers as a business leader? And does it make a difference whether that customer… ➤

August 2023 - On 1 January 2024, tax relief under federal long-term savings will be abolished in our country. Today, this benefit applies to deposits in a life insurance contract or through capital repayments for a second home. What do you need to know about this? ➤

July 2023 - During the summer holidays, many firms and consultants push the pause button. An ideal time for companies to put their office in order and evaluate the first half of the year. In this article, you will find five inspiring tips. Time to scrutinise office organisation to… ➤

July 2023 - If you want to attract and retain the strongest profiles on the labour market, you need to make efforts to market your company as a top workplace. Have you yet to master employer branding? This article gives you seven tips to excel as an employer and attract the best pearls in the sea of talent. ➤

July 2023 - Since 1 April 2009, companies in Belgium have been required to adopt a preventive alcohol and drug policy. The aim is to empower employers and employees. But what exactly does the so-called CBA No 100 entail? The main aim of Collective Bargaining Agreement No 100 is to prevent… ➤

July 2023 - One in four SMEs experienced cybercrime in the past 12 months. This is according to a survey by Allianz. How do you protect yourself against hacking, phishing and digital blackmail? Despite the clear figures, most SME entrepreneurs think they will be spared from cybercrime due to their… ➤

July 2023 - Summer holidays? Not for your accountant! He or she is working overtime these days to complete your company's annual accounts. As required by law, these must be submitted to the Central Balance Sheet Office within seven months of… ➤

July 2023 - Sale! Everything must go! -50 per cent! Most traders pull out all the stops during the sales period to remove their old stock. But what are the rules around bargains? How much discount can you legally give? Is selling at a loss permitted? And how do you ensure a big sales spike during sales? What does the law say about sales? ➤

July 2023 - On 26 February 2021, the annual tax on securities accounts came into force.
This annual tax of 0.15% is levied on the average value of taxable financial instruments during the reference period, provided this average value exceeds €1 million. ➤

July 2023 – In 2022, the Administration formulated stricter application conditions for the exemption from withholding tax for shift and night work. To qualify for a pass-through of only 80%, a company must meet the following conditions: The work is done in at least two shifts of at least two workers. ➤

July 2023 – In Belgium, the tax deductibility of dependent professional income for the Belgian debtor only applies when these expenses are reported to the Belgian tax authorities via a specific fiche. This reporting obligation applies not only to classic wages of 'employees' (sheet 281.10) and 'directors... ➤

July 2023 – Flemish companies faced with the consequences of the energy crisis could apply for financial support for the fourth quarter of 2022 until February 2023. At the end of February, the Flemish government announced an extension of this support, more specifically, until the first quarter of 2023. ➤

June 2023 – To be legally valid, an invoice must meet a variety of formal and substantive requirements. We list them below. Mandatory inclusion:
1 - the word 'invoice' must be explicitly mentioned
2 - invoice date, but also: delivery… ➤

June 2023 – As an SME, you need to pay suppliers, employees and all kinds of fixed and variable costs. To do so, you obviously need money. But exactly how much working capital does your company need to function properly? And how can you tackle cash… ➤

June 2023 – Your website is your company's online business card. To convince prospects and attract customers to your business, you need to be strong online. We share four tips for a professional website that will make you look confident and rank well in Google search… ➤

June 2023 – An economic crisis, unexpected financial setbacks, cut-throat competition... There are many reasons why you might want to cut costs in your SME. Below, we list a few possibilities. 1 - Save by optimising costs:
To make savings, you first need to know exactly what you are spending your money on. ➤

June 2023 – Any crisis can be the crisis too much for an SME. So it seems anyway. What can you do to protect your business from unexpected events such as the war in Ukraine, terrorist attacks in Brussels or the global health crisis? How shockproof is your business? Economic and financial shocks… ➤

June 2023 – Public authorities that are late in paying their debts under a public contract (whether works, supplies or services) have to reckon with significant late payment interest. At 10.5%, the applicable interest rate has never been higher. ➤

June 2023 – Following the annual tax return, the FPS Finance lists on its website the filing deadlines you need to consider this year. Which deadlines can you find in MyMinfin? Are you a taxpayer required to file a tax return? The following deadlines are listed in MyMinfin ➤

June 2023 – From 2024, new ground rules will apply when it comes to taking annual leave. Specifically, these include the carryover of holidays to the following year and a conversion from holidays to sick days. What do these new rules look like in practice? From next year, holidays… ➤

June 2023 – With a target group reduction for first hires, the federal government supports you as an entrepreneur in bringing your first employees on board. In this article, we briefly refresh the basics of this measure. And how does the government intend to reform… ➤

June 2023 – As a result of the corona crisis, many companies have introduced structural home working. This form of work offers you and your employees numerous opportunities. But what if 'home' for your employee is a different country from where you are… ➤

May 2023 – Selling goods online without having to store them in a warehouse yourself: that is dropshipping in a nutshell. A miracle solution for those starting out in e-commerce, proponents claim. But is this really true? Dropshipping is a form of direct online… ➤

May 2023 – In 2022, the federal government concluded the much-discussed labour deal. One of the measures in this deal is the right of deconnection for employees. Since 1 April 2023, companies with at least 20 employees must put compulsory agreements on paper. ➤

May 2023 – A new list of flat-rate per diem allowances for foreign business trips was published in the Belgian Official Gazette on 15 February 2023. You can pay these new per diems tax-free to your employees for the expenses they incur during a foreign business trip. It is the first time in five years that… ➤

May 2023 – May 2023 – As a result of new company legislation, which came into force in 2019, all existing companies have to amend their articles of association by 1 January 2024. This obligation causes resentment among a lot of entrepreneurs, as it... ➤

May 2023 – As an SME entrepreneur, you invest a lot of time and resources every day to grow your business successfully. Subsidies can give you and your team an interesting financial boost in this regard. Unfortunately, many business leaders can no longer see the trees through the subsidy jungle. ➤

May 2023 – Sick employees cost your company handsomely. Naturally, you do everything possible to keep workplace absenteeism as low as possible. The legislators in our country held some new legislative changes over the past few… ➤

May 2023 – There are costs associated with stock, but which ones? And how do you calculate those costs? In this article, we take a closer look at the elements that influence the cost of inventory. Inventory management is an essential but often maligned part of business… ➤

May 2023 – Companies today are more accessible than ever, through all kinds of channels. Digitisation can ease the pressure on administration. We focus on three fronts: the digital archive, digital customer management and digital accounting. E-mail, social media, letters, invoices… ➤

May 2023 – Your spouse or partner wants to cooperate in your business? Co-operating partner or spouse status offers some interesting (tax) advantages. Who qualifies for the cooperating partner or spouse status? Those who are married or legally… ➤

May 2023 – E-invoicing is becoming the norm for B2B transactions. European and local governments are working on a proposal to be rolled out by 2028. When we talk about electronic invoicing, or e-invoicing, we are not talking about invoices you deliver to your customers via e-mail in PDF. ➤

April 2023 – You are a business owner and are running into a divorce privately? Fortunately, this does not have to mean the end of your business. Divorce is always complex and painful, but all the more so if you are an entrepreneur. After all, you then have… ➤

April 2023 – In early February 2023, the social partners in the National Labour Council (NAR) reached an agreement on the mandatory granting of a bicycle allowance for private sector employees. This measure will take effect… ➤

April 2023 – There are many rules and procedures associated with a dismissal. This article lists what you must adhere to as a proper employer. Belgian SMEs are going through tough times today.
And although, as a business manager, you may not wish it on anyone, dismissal… ➤

April 2023 – Are you looking for money for your (start-up) business? Then it is good to know that a loan from the bank is not your only option. Diversify your funding so that you have a strong foundation to build on. 'Stack financing' is a form of financing where… ➤

April 2023 – As a company director, you are legally allowed to set your own salary. However, from a tax point of view, there are some important points to bear in mind so that you do not colour outside the lines. How do you put together an ideal salary package, including alternative… ➤

April 2023 – In our country, a company's size criteria are used to determine tax rates and filing of financial statements, among other things. The size of your enterprise is determined based on three criteria: annual turnover, balance... ➤

April 2023 – All amounts used in personal income tax are indexed annually. Consider, for example, the limit amounts for tax brackets, the marriage quotient, professional expenses, and so on. Yet, not all amounts increase with longevity. And that creates an invisible tax increase. ➤

April 2023 – In early March 2023, Finance Minister Vincent Van Peteghem presented his long-awaited tax reform note. Specifically, it involves 25 measures - spread over 600 pages of legal texts - that are intended to shift €6 billion in taxes. Which measures… ➤

April 2023 – Your accountant does more than your bookkeeping. He or she is also perfectly placed to advise you in various aspects of entrepreneurship. An accountancy firm's knowledge and expertise lie primarily in taxation and finance. Questions about tax optimisation, VAT and financial… ➤

April 2023 – You couldn't open a newspaper or news site in the past few months without finding an article about ChatGPT, the chatbot running on artificial intelligence. But what exactly is the technology worth in the Belgian SME world? Artificial intelligence has been presented… ➤

March 2023 – Entrepreneurship is about taking risks. At the same time, all kinds of unexpected events can crop up while you and your employees are at work. Therefore, it is wise to take care of the necessary insurance. Some insurances… ➤

March 2023 – On 15 February 2023, a new regulation came into force requiring companies with more than 50 employees to set up a procedure, reporting channel and follow-up that allows employees to report certain breaches of (European)… ➤

March 2023 – For many people, retirement is a "faraway show". Moreover, there are very persistent misunderstandings about this complex topic. You may also notice this as an employer. One employee does not lose sleep over his or her pension savings, while… ➤

March 2023 – The GDPR legislation forces organisations, including sole proprietorships and SMEs, to handle privacy-sensitive data carefully. Collecting data for marketing purposes is subject to strict rules. What is allowed and what is not? Below we answer six frequently asked questions about GDPR. ➤

March 2023 – In January 2023, hundreds of thousands of private sector workers received a hefty wage indexation. This mechanism came into effect as a result of rising longevity in recent months. However, this indexation does not apply to the self-employed. ➤

March 2023 – To avoid cash flow problems, strict follow-up of outgoing invoices is essential. In this article, we provide some tips for dealing decisively but politely with defaulters. The first weapon in your arsenal to avoid late payments is the payment reminder. You can send these the day after the due date of your outgoing invoices. This... ➤

March 2023 – Do you upload your invoices to your accountant only once a month or quarterly? This article will tell you why it is better to be shorter. You will be doing both yourself and your accountant a favour. The days of the shoebox containing the invoices of the past quarter are long gone. ➤

March 2023 – At the heart of lean management is an ongoing quest to optimise value by eliminating all possible sources of loss and waste within an organisation - anything the customer is unwilling… ➤

March 2023 – A cafeteria plan allows employees to put together their remuneration package à la carte. Not only financial compensation but also mobility allowances, training courses, extra holidays, and a smartphone or laptop are eligible. ➤

February 2023 – You will pay slightly more for filing your annual accounts this year. This is due to yearly indexation. Filing the annual accounts is an important annual agenda item for every company. As a manager, you must file the annual accounts within seven months of the end of the financial year and… ➤

February 2023 – If a long-term sick person does not have it hard enough, another threat lurks: the fade-out. The longer a sick colleague remains absent, the harder it becomes to return to work. The remedy is keeping in touch, embedded in a solid... ➤

February 2023 – As an entrepreneur or accountant, your calendar quickly fills up with various appointments and deadlines. It is best to mark the dates of the annual tax calendar in fluorescent letters so that you are always in order with pre-payments and returns... ➤

February 2023 – A good inventory strategy is not only necessary to reduce inventory costs, it can also give you a competitive and commercial advantage. Everything starts with finding the balance between service and cost. Driven by e-commerce, delivery times have dropped dramatically over the past decade. ➤

February 2023 – Every year - at the turn of the year - the federal government submits a programme law to the end-of-year budget. This law contains provisions necessary to realise the budget for the coming year. What tax and social measures can you, as a businessman, expect in 2023? ➤

February 2023 – An offer must meet several formal and substantive requirements. In this article, we list which things you should definitely include. A quotation is a proposal to supply certain goods and/or services from a company/ sole trader addressed to a potential customer. The quotation… ➤

February 2023 – By 2026, the tax regime for company cars will change radically, albeit in several steps. What about the tax deductibility of your current company car or fleet? And what ground rules should you consider when buying or leasing a new… ➤

February 2023 – Are you still managing your customer relationships via Excel? Let the new year signal to switch to a professional crm system because customer relationship management is a top priority in any business, including a top tool. Customers do not want to be treated like a number; they expect fast and thorough tailor-made service. ➤

February 2023 – Does your work consume you? Is your family suffering because of your entrepreneurship? Do you fear burnout or depression? This article will give you five helpful tips to maintain your work-life balance. n 2020, more than 17,000 people suffered long-term burnout. Around 1,000 cases… ➤

January 2023 – A company offers a stock option plan to its manager. In doing so, it calls on a specialised institution to offer standard stock options solutions. Yet this does not guarantee the deductibility of the costs. A company with only one member of… ➤

January 2023 – You no longer have to queue at a counter for government affairs either. Most federal and regional authorities have convenient websites where - provided you are correctly identified - you can do all your government business. But how do you actually identify yourself to the government? ➤

January 2023 – The securities tax is here to stay. Several parties had sought its annulment at the Constitutional Court. Still, with the exception of the anti-abuse provision, the court has no problems with the new version of the securities tax. In 2018, a new tax was introduced in Belgium… ➤

January 2023 – In a pre-pack, the healthy parts of a near-bankrupt company are sold under the supervision of the court. A relaunch for part of the company certainly has advantages. But what about the employees? 'Silent bankruptcy', better known by its English name pre-pack insolvency, was introduced into Belgian law at the end of March 2021. ➤

January 2023 – At the end of September 2022, a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) was signed within the National Labour Council that gives employees the right to apply for flexible working arrangements. The scheme has been in force since… ➤

January 2023 – Rent is a regional competence, but the three regions took the same measure to protect tenants in the context of soaring energy and heating costs: a freeze on indexation. Still, there are some differences. In principle, landlords are allowed to index the rent of their properties every… ➤

January 2023 – Students can simply participate in the labour market. If employer and student comply with certain conditions, students are even subject to more favourable social security and tax rules than other employees. The government decided at the end of October to extend that favourable regime even further. ➤

January 2023 – The old Civil Code, also called the "Code Napoleon" because of its originator, is being steadily renewed. In early 2023, the new Book 5 - Law of Obligations will come into force. Important for private individuals and traders alike. We may continually talk about the… ➤

January 2023 – If a self-employed person uses a communal building for professional purposes, expenses and depreciation should be limited not only to the professional part but then also to his or her share of the property. There is a special administrative tolerance for buildings in the matrimonial community. ➤

January 2023 – Since 1992, companies have had to pay an annual contribution for the benefit of the social status of the self-employed. The contribution is due by 30 June each year. Interestingly, this year the contribution does not change at all compared to last year. ➤

June 2022 – In addition to the ordinary social security contributions, employees are subject to a special social security contribution (BBSZ/CSSS). As part of the mini-tax-shift, the government has decided to abolish this BBSZ/CSSS. But this will be done gradually. For the time being, we will have to make do with a reduction. ➤

June 2022 – A law of 20 March 2022 transposed two directives into Belgian law. These directives make important changes to consumer law with regard to the sale of goods with digital elements on the one hand, and the sale of digital content and digital services on the other. As this is a European initiative, the new rules apply throughout Europe, but not outside Europe. ➤

June 2022 – The time for the annual tax return is approaching. Although many items are already completed, it is still a tedious exercise. Some tax regimes have been abolished, but continue to apply for the past, while new ones have been added. All of this means that the declaration becomes a little more complex every year. ➤

June 2022 – On 3 April, the Flemish Tax Administration (Vlabel) launched the new "ERFonline" application. ERFonline allows you to complete and send an inheritance declaration online. A major step forward. ERFonline is one of the platforms for exchanging information with the public authorities. You can access it… ➤

June 2022 – Sanctions and fines are generally not deductible. Not even if they are related to the professional activity. This non-deductibility was introduced in order not to dilute the effect of the sanction. Transactions, however, seemed not to be subject to this rule. But things change in 2022. The non-deductibility of fines is described as… ➤

June 2022 – The Companies and Associations Code (CSA) provides that limited liability companies (BV/SRL) may provide in their articles of association for the possibility of resignation and exclusion. The Commission des normes comptables (CBN/CNC) has now commented on the accounting treatment of the resignation… ➤

June 2022 – As part of the social agreement of 2021, it was agreed to increase the number of voluntary overtime hours that could be worked without extra pay from 100 to 220 in all sectors. The additional 120 hours of voluntary overtime are known as stimulus hours. You can still use them until the end of 2022. Although applicable since 1 July 2021, this social agreement was not cast… ➤

June 2022 – The name of your company as a number plate on your vehicle... Great publicity. It's possible for 1,000 euros. But what does the taxman think? Did you know that by the end of 2021, 11 021 personalized plates were already reserved? This compares with 7 976 in 2020 and only 5 949 in 2018. The rules of the game are relatively simple… ➤

June 2022 – Salary cars are subject to a special VAT regime. And a particularly complex one at that. When Covid-19 changed the way we work, the tax authorities granted tolerances. The tax authorities are now reversing their position, but in order to cancel these tolerances, a new tolerance is needed. If you provide your employees with a company car, which they can also use for private… ➤

June 2022 – Anyone who owns a property together with another person can end this joint ownership by leaving the joint ownership. Depending on where the property is located, the sharing duty amounts to 2,5% in Flanders or 1% in the other two regions. However, if you are a co-owner with your own company, you pay a sales tax of 12% or 12.5%. ➤

May 2022 – The government has introduced, through the programme law passed at the end of 2021, a new accountability levy for employers faced with an excessive flow of workers on disability. In October 2021, the federal government published an action plan to reduce the number of long-term sick. To achieve this goal… ➤

May 2022 – In public limited companies and limited liability companies, directorships cannot be combined with an employment contract. However, a person can be an employee and a director at the same time. How can this be explained? A company director may not be bound to the company by an employment contract. ➤

May 2022 – The parliamentary committee for the reform of liability law has recently proposed a draft bill to reform extra-contractual liability in the Civil Code. What does this draft law provide for in relation to legal persons who commit wrongful acts? What is meant by extra-contractual liability? Broadly speaking, it is the liability incurred by natural or… ➤

May 2022 – The law of 2 August 2002 on combating late payment in commercial transactions was amended in 2021. The new rules came into force on 1 February 2022. What should we remember? The law of 2 August 2002 only applies to commercial transactions. A commercial transaction is any transaction between companies or between companies and public… ➤

May 2022 – In mid-March, the Commission des Normes Comptables/Commissie voor Boekhoudkundige Normen (CNC/CBN) published a new version of its opinion on the size criteria for small companies. This document is of some interest. The term "SME" is traditionally used to refer to a small enterprise. The "M" refers in principle to medium-sized companies, but... ➤

May 2022 – If you have work done on your home, you can benefit from a reduced VAT rate provided the building is at least ten years old. However, the work must affect the residential building itself and may not involve the installation of a gate to your driveway. A contractor carries out building work that consists more specifically of the… ➤

May 2022 – Since 2016, you can benefit from a not insignificant reduction in employer social security contributions for the first six engagements. Several changes went into effect earlier this year. Until 2021, you could benefit from a total exemption from basic contributions for the hiring of a first worker. Until 2021, you could benefit… ➤

May 2022 – For an entrepreneur, the coefficient of revaluation of the cadastral income (CI) is relevant in two specific situations: when he rents a dwelling to a company, as an individual, and when he rents a dwelling to his own company, as a company director. The revaluation coefficient is recalculated every year. ➤

May 2022 – In the FAQ (frequently asked questions) concerning the calculation of the benefit in kind related to company cars, the tax authorities have devoted a question/answer to company cars adapted to an employee's disability. An update was published in mid-March. As such, the advantage linked to the provision… ➤

May 2022 – For many companies, finding competent employees is not an easy task. Many of them, therefore, grant a recruitment bonus to employees who introduce a new employee to them. The Tax Ruling Commission has recently published a decision concerning the tax regime applicable to this recruitment bonus. ➤

April 2022 – Special directors' liability does not apply to directors of small bankrupt companies. But who has to prove that the company is small? The creditors/guardians? Or the directors/managers? The Court of Cassation ruled at the end of 2021. In the event of a loss-making bankruptcy, it is obviously in the… ⟶

April 2022 – Since 1 June 2003, all deeds of legal persons (associations, companies and others) are published in the "Annexes du Moniteur belge". The amount of the publication fee is usually increased on 1 March and this is the case this year as well. The following documents must be published in the… ⟶

April 2022 – On 9 November 2021, Belgium and France signed a new double taxation agreement. The text of this agreement still needs to be adopted by the parliament. A double taxation agreement determines which country can tax which income. The old agreement between Belgium and France dates from 1964. ⟶

April 2022 – The "Law of 25 November 2021 organising the fiscal and social greening of mobility" has also introduced several changes to the mobility budget. It seems that this regulation has not been as successful as expected. The legislator intends to remedy this by further simplifying, making it a more flexible, sustainable means of transport and providing greater… ⟶

April 2022 – The Accounting Standards Committee (CNC/CBN) recently issued a statement on the accounting for an adjustment of the purchase price of shares in the context of a court decision. Is this an income or does it require a revision of the purchase price? Company A acquires a group of companies B. As is customary in this type… ⟶

April 2022 – Since 1 January 2022, there has been a "renovation" obligation in the Flemish Region when a non-residential building is transferred. This means that certain installations must be replaced within five years after the transfer. Also, within five years after the transfer, the facilities must meet specific minimum... ⟶

April 2022 – At the end of 2021, the legislator issued a law that aims to green our mobility, on the one hand, by abolishing the tax deduction for vehicles powered by fossil fuels and, on the other hand, by encouraging investments in C02 emission-free travel. Businesses benefit from an increased deduction for the installation of charging stations. Private individuals are… ⟶

April 2022 – In 2005, in the implementation of the interprofessional agreement, the government reduced the cost of shift work and overtime. For employees, it did so by means of a tax reduction. For employers, it has provided for an exemption from the obligation to pay the withholding tax to the Treasury. But there are limits to these tax benefits. ⟶

April 2022 – Companies and self-employed persons who use a contractor for construction work must ensure that the contractor does not have any debts to the NSSO or the tax authorities. If this is the case, a withholding obligation applies. You can easily check whether such a deduction is necessary by using this link. ⟶

April 2022 – When a company makes payments to persons or permanent establishments established in a tax haven, it must declare them. The administration has recently clarified what this means exactly... at least according to the tax authorities. If your company makes "direct or indirect" payments to persons or permanent establishments that are established in a… ⟶

March 2022 – The recovery reserve was introduced at the end of 2020 as part of the fight against the consequences of the coronavirus crisis. The legislator's intention is to strengthen the solvency and equity capital of companies affected by the crisis. The law on this recovery reserve was commented on by the tax authorities in mid-January. Companies have the… ⟶

March 2022 – Dismissal for serious reasons is an important decision. It follows a misconduct by the employee that ruins the trust placed in him by the employer and leads to the termination of the employment relationship without notice or compensation. No proportionality is required between the extent of the damage on the... ⟶

March 2022 – If an employee has debts, a creditor may approach his or her employer and ask him or her to pay part of the salary directly, without going through the employee. However, this attachment is subject to thresholds, which are indexed each year. Traditionally, a distinction is made between... ⟶

March 2022 – The application of certain labour law provisions depends on the remuneration of the employees concerned and on certain remuneration ceilings. These salary ceilings are adjusted annually. The amounts referred to in this article are the amounts for 2022. In which situations are earnings… ⟶

March 2022 – A private individual who renovates an older house can, under certain conditions, benefit from a reduced VAT rate. The client must usually confirm to the contractor that the house is sufficiently old. The contractor then issues a certificate to the client for the application of the reduced rate. This certificate will no longer… ⟶

March 2022 – When an employer provides a company car to an employee or a company director, the employee or company director is taxed on the resulting benefit. The calculation of the benefit depends, among other things, on the CO2 emission of the vehicle in relation to the average emission of the Belgian car fleet. In 2021, this average emission has fallen and your... ⟶

March 2022 – Last year, a major energy supplier suggested a fiscal engineering that allowed employers to offer free heating or free electricity to their employees. The employee was taxed on this benefit, but the tax base was much lower than the real value of the benefit. But the Minister of Finance recently objected. When an employer grants a… ⟶

March 2022 – For the past two years, virologists have strongly advised against the organisation of parties. In most cases, the government has put this advice into practice by banning large physical gatherings. Online parties were not - and still are not - as user-friendly, but they are allowed. What about tax? ⟶

March 2022 – In the first half of December, the National Bank of Belgium usually publishes the rates applicable for the publication of annual accounts for the following year. These rates are linked to the consumer price index, so that filing annual accounts will cost a few euros more in 2022 than in 2021. There are three mod… ⟶

March 2022 – The law organising the fiscal and social greening of mobility was published in the Belgian Official Journal on 3 December 2021. Even though some of the provisions will not come into force for a few years, it is important to take action in good time. The law consists of five main parts. The first part aims to encourage employers to green the cars they provide for their staff. ⟶

February 2022 – In mid-2021, Flanders introduced the 'vriendenerfenis' (friend inheritance). This technique allows you to leave part of your estate to non-family members or 'distant' relatives, without the taxman taking the lion's share. If you are making a will because you want to benefit certain people.... ⟶

February 2022 – If a company does not declare to whom it has paid certain sums, it must itself pay tax on these payments. This tax is not insignificant, but there are ways to avoid it. A new loophole was added to the list in mid-2021. As a company, if you pay a salary, a fee, a commission, etc… ⟶

February 2022 – The case law is not unequivocal: when a company owns a house and this house is used solely or mainly as accommodation for the manager, are the costs for this house deductible? The Court of Ghent recently ruled no, but at almost the same time the Court of Appeal of Ghent ruled yes. A man and a woman have... ⟶

February 2022 – Why charge VAT on the rental of student rooms? To be able to deduct the VAT paid on the construction (or refurbishment) of these rooms. At the end of 2020, an investor obtained a ruling that allowed him to charge VAT and thus also deduct VAT on the investment and maintenance. However, the legislator objected to this. ⟶

February 2022 – The liquidation reserve allows the entrepreneur who carries out his activity as a company to build up savings which he can distribute tax-free when the company is wound up. However, this tax exemption is not available to shareholders who are themselves in the form of a company. However, a solution does exist. ⟶

February 2022 – The sale of goods is in principle subject to VAT. The export of goods is one of the main exceptions to this principle. Export in this context means export outside the European Union. Transport services in the context of such export may also be exempt. But there will be some changes from 1 April 2022. ⟶

February 2022 – Since 1 January 2022, non-EU nationals wishing to establish themselves as self-employed persons in Flanders have been subject to new regulations regarding their professional card. The old regulations of 1965 continue to apply in the other Regions. According to the federal regulation a business card is required when… ⟶

February 2022 – The conditions and modalities of the exemption from payment of the withholding tax on earned income (Pr. P.) in case of shift and night work are regularly discussed. In a circular dated mid-November, the tax authorities give their opinion on the one-third standard: from now on, this standard must always be calculated on an… ⟶

February 2022 – When transferring a family business, you can avoid inheritance or gift tax if a number of conditions are met. One of these conditions is that the business must continue without interruption, which was not evident during the coronavirus crisis. Can you expect any help from the Minister? A donation of a business is in principle subject... ⟶

February 2022 – Does 'on-call' count as working time? This question was submitted to the Court of Justice of the European Union in mid-November 2021 in relation to the on-call duty of a firefighter. This was not the first time, as the Court had already been asked to rule on the issue in March 2021. The conclusion: simply being on call can also be considered as work. ⟶

January 2022 – The Flemish Government has abolished the duo bequest as from 1 July 2021. If you had previously amended your will in order to arrange such a duo bequest, it is advisable to look again at this will and to seek alternative solutions, if necessary. The duo bequest involves you making literally two bequests. ⟶

January 2022 – At the beginning of 2021, the Antwerp Court of Appeal was called upon to examine a case between two hoover manufacturers. One had linked the other to the scandal surrounding the rigging software of a famous car brand. For the court, this is unacceptable. A manufacturer of bagless… ⟶

January 2022 – Refusing to deliver to a business customer with whom you are involved in court proceedings can be a form of abuse of dominance. And it can cost you a lot of money. A hunting shop has a concession to sell a particular type of shotgun. At the insistence of the German manufacturer of the weapon, the company... ⟶

January 2022 – Since 2009, employers have been able to grant eco-vouchers to their employees. Eco-vouchers benefit from an advantageous tax and social security contribution regime. Apart from the increase in the amount that can be granted (from 125 euros to the current 250 euros), the regulations have remained unchanged for a long time. But since 2020... ⟶

January 2022 – On 12 October 2021, the Accounting Standards Committee (AcSB) published an opinion on the alarm bell procedure under the Companies and Associations Code (CSA). The application of the alarm bell procedure depends to a large extent on the valuation... ⟶

January 2022 – Just as your income may still be taxable long after you have ceased your activity, your expenses may also remain deductible after you have ceased your activity. The Ghent Court of Appeal was called upon to rule on a whole series of costs and expenses that were still incurred after the cessation of activity. A particularly interesting case! ⟶