Government continues streamlining process of tax returns
People filing their taxes in Flanders this year will face a significantly slimmer tax return. The number of codes has been reduced, while the tax-free allowance has been increased, according to the Federal Public Service (FPS) Finance.
For federal tax codes, the total falls by 47 to 699. That is the lowest number of codes in ten years, according to officials from the FPS Finance. In the Flemish Region, the total number of codes has been reduced by 59 to 780.
At federal level, the abolished codes include the housing bonus, tax reductions for domestic staff and legal expenses insurance. The tax reduction for donations to recognised charities has been lowered from 45 to 30 per cent. In Flanders, the tax reduction for service vouchers has been scrapped.
"We are making the tax return simpler," Finance minister Jan Jambon said during a press conference on Monday. "We are increasing the tax-free allowance, with fewer deduction items." He added that the simplification process will continue in the coming years.
Checks still needed
The majority of taxpayers, some 3.93 million people, will receive a pre-completed simplified tax return containing all information already known to the authorities. Last year, 93 per cent accepted the proposal without changes. Officials stressed that it remains important to check the details carefully.
Deadlines for filing tax returns remain unchanged: 30 June for paper returns, 15 July online and 16 October for returns involving specific income categories.
Last year, 2.17 million returns were submitted online, compared with just 141,000 on paper. Around 1.25 million returns are filed each year through accountants.
© BELGA PHOTO ERIC LALMAND
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