Context

As you know, Belgian tax on taxable pay is mainly remitted to the tax authorities by the employer as wage withholding tax. The taxation itself occurs the year after the income year (e.g. tax year 2003 relates to the income from 2002) by way of a tax return to be completed by each taxpayer. The “tax bill” or “assessment notice” is finally sent to the taxpayer by the tax authorities at the latest on 30 June of the year following the tax year (so 30 June 2004 for income of 2002) with a tax due or a tax refund to be paid or reimbursed within the two following months (e.g. at the latest 31 August 2004 for the income of 2002).

News

Didier Reynders, the Minister of Finance announced this week that the tax authorities suffered important delays in the processing of the tax reimbursements for the income of 2000, and consequently that 150,000 taxpayers would not be reimbursed in time. If the delayed reimbursement exceeds EUR 860, the tax authorities will automatically grant interest on arrears to the taxpayer (0,58% per month).

Reference: Interview Didier Reynders, 28 August 2002