News Archive

Vandelanotte France is regularly contacted by companies that are conducting operations in France for the first time and consequently exploring the French VAT implications. It would appear that many companies are wrestling with the same questions. We would therefore like to provide answers to our five most Frequently Asked Questions via a short news series.

Last week the Belgian federal cabinet’s ‘Superkern’ again approved a series of additional measures from the third phase of the Federal Plan for Social and Economic Protection. There are two sets of measures, focusing on stimulating investment on the one hand and the organisation of work on the other. In the first phase on 6 June, the ‘Superkern’ already agreed to a previous series of additional measures.

This week, the Flemish Government decided to extend the duration of the corona nuisance premium for entrepreneurs who have been obliged to keep their business closed for a while longer. An additional compensation premium will also be paid to entrepreneurs who have suffered a large loss of turnover.

Last week the Belgian federal cabinet’s ‘Superkern’ agreed to a series of additional measures from the third phase of the Federal Plan for Social and Economic Protection. These measures are intended to shore up the purchasing power of vulnerable groups and help boost the economy.

The coronavirus is having a huge impact on the workplace, both in the short and long term. From the very beginning of the lockdown, companies were forced to organise their operations in a more flexible way. For many employers, this was also the impetus for adopting more structured and sustainable flexible working practices for the future. What can your company do to facilitate a flexible workforce both during and after corona? And which operational and personal requirements must you consider? We provide an overview below.

The coronavirus crisis has shaken up our work and HR landscape badly. Furthermore, many of the new challenges we have had to face are likely to become permanent elements of a so-called ‘new normal’. This requires a deliberate, targeted approach to gradually recruiting – and at a later stage, retaining – employees. Time for a good action plan!

Under certain conditions, companies may qualify for a subsidy to help with costs for business-related travel abroad or participation in foreign trade fairs that cannot be recuperated due to the coronavirus.

The Walloon Region has established a compensation premium for Walloon enterprises that do not qualify for the coronavirus premium. This compensation premium amounts to EUR 2,500. Applicants are subject to the following conditions:

One-time online registration with FPS Finances is compulsory for non-residents who collected their first Belgian-sourced income in the 2019 fiscal year. They will receive a tax return form after this registration. The Court of Cassation recently ruled that non-residents must have registered before 1 June 2020.

It took a while, but on 14 May the Brussels Capital government finally announced the application conditions for its EUR 2,000 support premium. It should be possible to apply for this compensation in early June.

Many Belgian employees, who normally work full or part-time in the Netherlands, must presently work from home. Working from home can have negative repercussions in terms of pay, which is currently taxable in Belgium. Belgium has consequently concluded an agreement with the Netherlands to address this issue.

The coronavirus epidemic is seriously affecting the turnover of many companies and sole traders. Unfortunately, there is no insurance coverage available to compensate for such loss at this time. As an entrepreneur, however, it is possible to insure yourself against loss of turnover due to your own absence as a business manager.

An increasing number of construction companies realise projects abroad. Even though these concern Belgian companies executing projects using a Belgian workforce, it can have significant repercussions abroad. The implications of the ongoing corona crisis should also not be overlooked.

Working from home is not so straightforward for today’s employees. Combining work and family life is not an easy exercise. To support families, the Cabinet approved a corona parental leave policy last weekend. But what exactly does this entail? And how can you apply for corona parental leave? We list the key principles for your convenience.

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.

Meeting in times of corona is anything but obvious. However, every year the spring months are the top months when it comes to general assemblies. Many companies and associations are currently experiencing practical difficulties in organizing these general assemblies. How to bring together shareholders or members while respecting the rules of social distancing but without affecting their respective rights? Our experts conducted the investigation for you.

Flemish enterprises and self-employed workers to whom the nuisance premium for mandatory closure was granted until the 5th of April 2020, will automatically receive further compensation of 160 euros per mandatory closure day for the subsequent period.

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.