Belgium has published a notice from the Federal Public Service (SPF) Finance in the Official Gazette that includes an explanation of the rules on advance income tax payments for the 2018 tax year (2019 assessment year).
Advance tax payments are due quarterly. For 2018 (assessment year 2019), the standard payment deadlines are 10 April 2018, 10 July 2019, 10 October 2018, and 20 December 2018. For tax periods not following the calendar year, the payment deadlines are adjusted accordingly.
When advance tax payments do not cover the final tax assessment for the year, a surcharge (tax increase) applies. This surcharge rate has been increased from 2.25% to 6.75% for tax periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018. For tax periods that began before 1 January 2018 but considered in the 2019 assessment year, the surcharge rate remains 2.25%.
A credit against the surcharge amount is provided for timely advance tax payments. For tax periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018, the credit is equal to 9.00% on the first advance payment, 7.50% on the second payment, 6.00% on the third payment, and 4.50% on the fourth payment. For tax periods that began before 1 January 2018 but considered in the 2019 assessment year, the credit is equal to 3.00%, 2.50%, 2.00%, and 1.50% for each respective advance payment. The average of these credit rates corresponds to the surcharge rates, 6.75% and 2.25%.
