Company cars: benefits of all kinds in 2021

Company cars: benefits of all kinds in 2021

February 2021 – Where an employer makes a company car available to an employee or a manager of an undertaking, that employee or manager 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 2020, after two years of increase, this average emission has gone down again. This is good news for the climate, but not so good news for your wallet. ⟶

Donation via the Netherlands now less attractive

Donation via the Netherlands now less attractive

February 2021 – A law published in the Moniteur belge of 11 December 2020 introduced a new obligation to register donations of movable property via a foreign notary, thus closing what has come to be known as the "cheese route" (in Dutch, "de kaasroute"). However, it is still possible to choose the route with the least restrictions. ⟶

When is remuneration paid?

When is remuneration paid?

February 2021 – The Income Tax Code (CIR) provides that the remuneration of company directors is taxable at the time it is allocated or awarded. As for withholding tax, the law stipulates that it must be withheld at the time salaries are paid or allocated. The Court of Appeal of Liège recently gave some words of explanation regarding the notions "attribute", "allocate" and "pay". ⟶

Belgium-France tax treaty: soon the end of double taxation of dividends?

Belgium-France tax treaty: soon the end of double taxation of dividends?

February 2021 – Belgian residents who receive dividends of French origin are subject to Belgian withholding tax and French withholding tax. This is not unusual. This is also the case for other dividends of foreign origin. However, the Franco-Belgian double taxation treaty provides for a tax reduction... and the Belgian tax authorities refused to apply it. The Court of Cassation called the tax authorities to order. ⟶

Company bikes are not used. What about the tax and social aspects?

Company bikes are not used. What about the tax and social aspects?

A few years ago, the legislator decided to encourage the use of bicycles for home-workplace journeys. Workers who use their own bicycles to get to work can receive a tax-free allowance and the benefit resulting from the provision of a company bicycle is taxed at a minimum. However, due to the coronavirus crisis, many workers do not have to commute to work. Does this have an impact? ⟶