Belgium-Holland Country Desk
Our Belgium-Holland Desk has built up many years of experience in the guidance of, on the one hand, Dutch companies and individuals who are or who want to be active in Belgium, and on the other hand Belgian companies and individuals who are developing or who want to develop activities in the Netherlands. Over 20 years ago, a cross-border advisory group was established between BDO Belgium and BDO Holland to monitor opportunities and new developments closely.
For Dutch activities in Belgium
fiscal, legal and accounting guidance
- assistance in choosing between company (subsidiary) or branch (permanent establishment)
- completion of all start-up formalities
- drawing up and optimisation of VAT returns, financial statements and corporation tax returns
- responsible representation regarding VAT, reclaiming foreign VAT
- guidance on take-overs of Belgian companies (due diligence, take-over contracts, structuring)
- drafting of and advice on commercial contracts (hire, agency, cooperation agreements, etc.)
- guidance on personnel matters
- legal assistance in the recruitment of staff and optimisation of the differences between the two countries
- drafting of employment contracts with optimisation of Belgian or Dutch employment law
- coordination of all periodic payroll formalities
- drafting salary splits, applying for expat status
- optimisation of social security position (secondment, multiple employment in accordance with EU regulations)
- advice for Dutch emigrants to Belgium (“Dutch Belgians”)
- guidance in all aspects, such as buying property, moving the head office of companies, pension optimisation, succession planning, drawing up all returns
- advice and administration regarding holdings, management companies and estate companies
- succession and asset transfer advice for Dutch Belgians
- analysis and optimisation of Dutch prenuptial agreements with Belgian law governing matrimonial property rights (settlement agreements, option clauses, optimisation of family house), advice on inheritance and succession planning
- advice on gift arrangements (usufruct, right of return, etc.)
- guidance when making bank or hand gifts, donations before Belgian or Dutch notary
- international use of Belgian regulations for reductions and exemptions from gift and inheritance tax for family businesses
- guidance in setting up suitable control structures (foundations, partnerships, holdings)
- planning art collections
For Belgian activities in the Netherlands
fiscal, legal and accounting guidance
- assistance in choosing between company (subsidiary) or branch (permanent establishment)
- completion of all start-up formalities
- drawing up and optimisation of VAT returns, financial statements and corporation tax returns
- responsible representation regarding VAT, reclaiming foreign VAT
- guidance on take-overs of Dutch companies (due diligence, take-over contracts, structuring, etc.)
- drafting of and advice on commercial contracts (hire, agency, cooperation agreements, etc.)
- guidance on personnel matters
- legal assistance in the recruitment of staff and optimisation of the differences between the two countries
- drafting of employment contracts with optimisation of Belgian or Dutch employment law
- coordination and execution of all periodic payroll formalities
- drafting salary splits, applying for the 30% scheme, optimising deductions
- optimisation of social security position (secondment, multiple employment in accordance with EU regulations)
- fiscal optimisation of Belgian doctors working in the Netherlands
- applying for the 30% scheme
- setting up companies for doctors and guidance with partnership agreements
- optimisation of pension plans
- optimisation of deductions (e.g. interest deduction on Belgian mortgages in the Netherlands)