Working in Belgium via Connexion

[Boo]

Going by line 1 you can work for up to 6 months - as you said - in another EU country without registering with the local tax authorities.

The rule is 183 days, not 6 months. The 183 days may be counted in different ways. For instance, in Belgium days which are spent travelling between countries don't count. This used to be true for the UK too, but I believe that has changed so that only one travelling day per round trip is discounted (I may be wrong on that...).

In link 2 - which is not as 'official' as link 1, but is specific on Belgium - it suggests that Belgian-sourced income is liable for tax in Belgium. Link 3 seems to confirm this although I must admit that I didn't fully understand the wording in this link.

Yes, Belgian income is taxed in Belgium. But income from your UK employer is sourced in the UK and so for 183 days you are not liable for Belgian tax.

1) The 183 days appears to be intended for larger companies (not one-person UK contracting firms)

This is a complete fiction. There is no discrimination between size of firms in the EU legislation. Did you invent this lie yourself or did you read it somewhere ?

It's not a dodge for UK contractors to work in another country and to not declare tax on income clearly earned in that country.

It's not a dodge at all. The relevant EU treaty has given all EU companies the right to send an employee to another EU country to earn the company income without paying tax in that country for 183 days.

I am obviously not a tax accountant. I'm speculating

You are spreading misinformation in a public forum where it can confuse people who should be being served better.

but to me this is a 'grey' area. And one that the authorities could 'clarify' (to the contractor's disadvantage) at any time.

The situation is pellucid. No national government can unilaterally override the treaty so there is no prospect that the situation can be "clarified" in the way you suggest.

2) Even if the 183 days is allowable, it is still not a solution for anyone hoping for an extension to an initial short contract, or indeed anyone who has already been here longer than 6 months.

The 183 days is allowable. It is no use to anyone who works longer than 183 days in another country.

To me this a very dodgy area. Perhaps you're right, you might get away with it on a short term contract. Although you could probably work here for a few months, not declare anything, and then vanish at the end anyway. And if you did get caught, back tax for 6 months would be more of a nuisance, rather than a life-ruining catastrophe.

Sigh...

Boo

[fm123]

The rule is 183 days, not 6 months.

The EU site itself says 6 months (in one year). More importantly it also says that every EU country tackles tax matters through its own national tax laws.

EU - Taxation for workers on postings in other countries - Your Europe

But income from your UK employer is sourced in the UK and so for 183 days you are not liable for Belgian tax.

The cardinal rule is that money is taxed in the country where it is earned.

I've heard a lot of cr'p on tax saving scams in my 15 years of contracting in mainland Europe. Much of it comes from the mancos, sometimes from accountants that you are paying for sound advice, and sometimes from other contractors. It's invariably bullsh't.

You are spreading misinformation in a public forum where it can confuse people who should be being served better.

I'm sorry if you think I'm spreading misinformation. People come on here and read what is written how they wish. I'm not making any claims to be any kind of tax authority. I'm merely an IT contractor who has heard so much rubbish. If you know a better way of legally contracting in the longer term in Belgium (ie with one extension on that short contract) than having your own SPRL, I would dearly like to know.

However, that is my experience of Belgium.

It's not a dodge at all. The relevant EU treaty has given all EU companies the right to send an employee to another EU country to earn the company income without paying tax in that country for 183 days.

Discussing the 183-day rule : International Tax Consultants, Capital Consulting : Tax Planning for contractors & freelancers

This is worth a read, because it scotches this 183-day myth far better than I am able to. I know the specific case refers to France, but I'm sure that in a general sense it could apply anywhere in the EU.

[Fatterboy]

Crook? You decide

As some of you guys lost money thanks due to this fellow Hugo Jankowitz and his Connexion and ICC Europe, it could be interesting to know that you may be able to recuperate at least a portion of it if he succeeds in selling his “modest” castle in Clifton, Cape Town for this meagre asking price of 100 million Rand, equivalent to 10 Million euros.

See this detailed 4 minute video: YouTube - Dogon Group - The Castle - Clifton - Cape Town - South Africa

and this illustrative article: Financial Mail - Home sweet R100m home

and the listing of the house: CLIFTON - CLI020139 | Cape Town property and Cape Town real estate from Dogon Group Properties

[laurelandhardy]

Belgium Connexion

What has happened to Connexion in Belgium? I gather there are some new people involved now?

[numbertwofan]

Basically the same

I gather Jason Zeelie is still the MD and they have a new Finance Director called Bovain Macnab, basically everything is the same though.

[sayborg]

30 % ruling in NL & 183 days in Belgium

Hi guys,

I just would like to ask a question.

I worked in Holland (NL) (as a Belgian) for 2 years with the 30% ruling. I now work in Belgium (BE) but I still have my official address in NL.

I work in Belgium via my payroll agency in NL which invoices a Belgian Consulting company which invoices a final client.

As far as I understand, I am eligible to have the 30% ruling + work in BE for 183 days. Are the week-ends deducted from the 183 days? Do I have to prove that I am in NL during the week-ends? If yes, how? Mobile communications, gas stations' bills?

I was planning to invoice the BE consulting company as of the 184th day. Can the Belgian Tax Office create some hassles by claiming that the final client is the same and therefore ask me to reimburse the 30% ruling advantage + adjust my taxes based on the Belgian scheme?

What is the best set up as far as I am concerned?

Many thanks in advance

[JustMe]

Stay in Holland

Hi guys,

I just would like to ask a question.

I worked in Holland (NL) (as a Belgian) for 2 years with the 30% ruling. I now work in Belgium (BE) but I still have my official address in NL.

I work in Belgium via my payroll agency in NL which invoices a Belgian Consulting company which invoices a final client.

As far as I understand, I am eligible to have the 30% ruling + work in BE for 183 days. Are the week-ends deducted from the 183 days? Do I have to prove that I am in NL during the week-ends? If yes, how? Mobile communications, gas stations' bills?

I was planning to invoice the BE consulting company as of the 184th day. Can the Belgian Tax Office create some hassles by claiming that the final client is the same and therefore ask me to reimburse the 30% ruling advantage + adjust my taxes based on the Belgian scheme?

What is the best set up as far as I am concerned?

Many thanks in advance

I do not think that it works that way. If you are going over the 183 days , then everything should be taxed in Belgium. If you have a choice, do not take a contract in Belgium. Belgium cannot beat the 30%-rule. If you have a market-rate of 520/day you will have approx 2000 euro net more in your pocket.

rgds,
Justme

[sayborg]

OK, thanks for your comment.

Is there a way to do the same thing in Belgium like some people did with Connexion?

Is there any alternative these days?

What is the best set up if you have a contract in BE?

[JustMe]

no , read the other treads.

OK, thanks for your comment.

Is there a way to do the same thing in Belgium like some people did with Connexion?

Is there any alternative these days?

What is the best set up if you have a contract in BE?

You could pm (Private Mail) me. If this option is not working ask admin.

regards,
Justme

[pedro1974]

same luxtrust for both salary and balance accounts?

I work inLuxembourg.
I received a free token from bank account used for the balance.
Do we have to use a different token for the salary account? Can we use same token for both accounts?
The bank managing the account for salary purpose proposes another free (during 3 years) token to me, or proposes to link it with my potential already owned token.
I do not know what the best way is.