Just about to be working in Belgium for > 6 Months.

[AlfredJPruffock]

You are talking about the Netherlands here. The Dutch Tax people are hardcore, they rule with an iron fist and get clients to report everything to them. I am talking about Belgium.

The contrasting attitudes between the Dutch and Les Belges can be summed by the following anecdote

A businessman visits Brussels and Amsterdam. The businessman is told by his Dutch counterpart 'Here everything is possible - but somehow nothing ever gets done.'

He visits his Belgian counerpart who shugs his shoulders 'Here it is really terrible - nothing is possible - so many rules.'

He then winks '...but somehow we always manage to do a deal.'

[ftwig]

me too. my advice: demand an obscene rate. pay your own expenses. do a reduced working week.

You are talking about the Netherlands here. The Dutch Tax people are hardcore, they rule with an iron fist and get clients to report everything to them. I am talking about Belgium.

[DS23]

i worked in amsterdam. my advice dont do it.

they ****ed me over more than a few times.

me too. my advice: demand an obscene rate. pay your own expenses. do a reduced working week.

[ftwig]

i worked in amsterdam. my advice dont do it.

they ****ed me over more than a few times.

Could you give more details?

Its too late anyway, ive been here for > 4 months!

[el duder]

From this site "Due to the 183-day ruling, it is possible to work in Belgium as an employee of a UK company up to a maximum of 183 days (six months) and continue to pay taxes in your home country. It is important to note, however, that as soon as you exceed this deadline by even one day, you become liable for Belgian tax from the first day of your contract."

I take it this is six months consecutive, rather than six months in one tax year. The Belgium tax year runs Jan-Jan. I worked four months last tax your and will soon of worked two this year. If it was six months in any tax year I could work another four months in Belgium, otherwise I need to get out soon. Any insight?

"Furthermore, this ruling does not apply to a one-man limited company. Should you own your own company, and be the sole employee (or a relation of an additional employee), the seat of management can be seen as having relocated to Belgium and the company seen as moving to Belgium along with you."

This is worrying, anyone got any experience/take on this?

Ben

i worked in amsterdam. my advice dont do it.

they ****ed me over more than a few times.

[ftwig]

From this site "Due to the 183-day ruling, it is possible to work in Belgium as an employee of a UK company up to a maximum of 183 days (six months) and continue to pay taxes in your home country. It is important to note, however, that as soon as you exceed this deadline by even one day, you become liable for Belgian tax from the first day of your contract."

I take it this is six months consecutive, rather than six months in one tax year. The Belgium tax year runs Jan-Jan. I worked four months last tax your and will soon of worked two this year. If it was six months in any tax year I could work another four months in Belgium, otherwise I need to get out soon. Any insight?

"Furthermore, this ruling does not apply to a one-man limited company. Should you own your own company, and be the sole employee (or a relation of an additional employee), the seat of management can be seen as having relocated to Belgium and the company seen as moving to Belgium along with you."

This is worrying, anyone got any experience/take on this?

Ben