Implementation of the AIP 2023-2024: reintroduction of recovery hours, increase in tax-favoured overtime and extension of innovation bonuses
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' organisations. On the basis of this agreement, the legislator is now proceeding to implement a series of agreed measures, namely:
1. the reintroduction of the additional 120 hours of voluntary overtime (stimulus hours) from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2025 (see one of our previous news items);
2. the extension of the one-off innovation premium;
3. an increase in the number of tax-privileged overtime hours with additional pay for the 2024, 2025 and 2026 tax years.
Point 1: This concerns the possibility of working an additional 120 hours of voluntary overtime (stimulus hours) without extra pay, in addition to the basic voluntary overtime quota. This applies to all sectors. Employees must give their prior written consent. These "stimulus hours" benefit from special tax and parafiscal treatment. They are fully exempt from social security contributions and withholding tax and are not subject to any compensatory rest or additional pay.
Point 2: the innovation bonus enables employers to award financial remuneration to employees who come up with an innovative idea that offers real added value for the company. Provided a number of conditions are met, the remuneration is exempt from social security contributions and income tax.
