Businesses

If you want to start your own business with a certain degree of security, franchising is the way to go. The risks for the franchisee are lower, as you can rely on the expertise of a strong player. Wondering if franchising is right for you? Here are five benefits.

Looking to set up offices in France? If so, there are three different ways to go about it. Expert Matthieu Van Gucht from our Lille office lists them below.

Last weekend, we attended the Second Home fair in Ghent. Buying a second home abroad is still a hot topic among Belgians, with France remaining an especially popular destination. Having a French property can pay off in two ways. During the holding period, you can earn rental income. When it comes to selling, you can make a significant return on your investment. Here, we give you an overview of the tax implications and mandatory formalities, both in France as well as in Belgium.

Every year the returns for ‘wealth tax’ have to be submitted before 31st March. This article aims to refresh your memory about this tax and explain a number of points for consideration.

From 2023 there is a new procedure for ‘mixed’ and ‘partial’ taxpayers who want to base their VAT deduction on actual use. Amongst other things, prior notification is now required. We provide you with an overview.

On 10th November a new law about transparent and predictable working conditions came into force, which was the transposition of a European directive. This law stipulates that specific information of an individual or collective nature has to be provided. The law also provides for a number of new minimum requirements in respect of working conditions for employees. We would like to explain it to you.

In principle, all employees must take all their statutory holiday days before the end of the year. If they fail to do so, they lose those days. The days that they do not take must not be transferred or paid out. But what if an employee was unable to take all of his or her holiday days because of certain circumstances?

Last week, the authorities published a new law containing various provisions on incapacity for work. Among other things, the law stipulates that up to three times per calendar year, employees are not obliged to present a medical certificate for their first day of incapacity for work. This article briefly explains to what extent this law is applicable to all companies and how a company may deviate.

In order to make Flanders asbestos-free by 2040, an asbestos report will become a requirement for any transfer of real property built before 2001 with a footprint equal to or exceeding 20 m2 from 23 November 2022. Additionally, all owners of properties built before 2001 must have obtained such a report by 31 December 2031. This article explains the implications in more detail.

Rising energy prices have created a new trend among old and young alike: those who can afford it are heading south to spend the winter there. This is due to prices at all-in hotels in Spain often being cheaper than energy bills in Belgium. Thanks to remote working, employees whose jobs allow it can continue to work without having to take leave. Employers should pay attention to the following points when an employee makes this kind of move.

The VVPRbis (reduced tax) scheme allows certain companies to pay dividends subject to a lower rate of tax at source (withholding tax). Where the normal rate of tax on dividends would normally be 30%, businesses that fall under the VVPRbis scheme can apply a reduced rate of 15% or 20%.

On 1 July 2022, the Belgian Official Gazette published the Law of 28 April 2022 containing Book 1 “General Provisions” of the Civil Code. These provisions stipulate that working days are all days other than public holidays, Sundays and Saturdays. The law enters into force on 1 January 2023, meaning that from this date, Saturday is no longer considered a normal working day.

In June 2022 the Council of Ministers approved a preliminary draft bill which includes an exemption of employees’ obligation to present a doctor’s note for their first day of inability to work up to three times per calendar year. A doctor’s note remains required if it is the employee’s fourth sickness absence or they are off sick for longer than one day.

From 11 July 2022 and as a result of the transposition of European Directive 2020/1057 on posting drivers in the road transport sector and amending the enforcement requirements, stricter rules apply to foreign workers posted to Belgium.

For a long time, Belgium has had a generous fiscal regime for expat executives. The origins of the regime lie in an administrative circular from 8 August 1983 and there have been remarkably few alterations to the system since that date.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Although the latest signs from the House of Commons in Britain give hope that a deal will be secured between the European Union and the United Kingdom, there is still a very real risk of a no-deal Brexit on 31 October.