Every year, the Belgian tax authorities miss out on one fifth of the VAT owed on products and services. This is according to a study by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The figures are slightly better than during the corona years, but remain high compared to neighboring countries, write ‘De Tijd’ and ‘L’Echo’ on Wednesday.
If all Belgians paid the VAT due on what they consume, the government would have an extra 11 billion euros in revenue annually. This is shown by the study commissioned by the Belgian government. The Belgian budget deficit would immediately fall below the limit of 3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP).
The general reasons for the missed VAT revenue: goods and services supplied ‘on the black’, but also the poor administration of international trade, tax optimization and the bankruptcy of companies with outstanding VAT debts.
After the start of the De Croo government, the share of missed VAT even temporarily increased to 30 percent of receipts. The IMF attributes this to the disruptive effects of the corona pandemic and support, which led to payment delays and a ‘cash effect’. In 2021, that effect was over.
Striking: our neighboring countries are more successful in actually collecting the consumption taxes they levy, according to European data.
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2023-05-24 03:07:09
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