Belgian State pension and tax

Annemos

Oh no..... affiliated banks? I have no connections to any banks over there! 

I do have the Belgian E-Identity card. I have Belgian nationaility through marriage. So I assumed I would just be able to log in with that and a card reader. I need to try their website out. You can bet my card reader will be out of date and will not connect!

There are other people worrying about this pension tax issue. I found this..... see people's questions at the end. 

The Belgian income tax return in detail | The Bulletin

The Belgians must think they will capture more tax this way, compared to the old days.  Also after Covid, all governments will be tightening up on their tax collections, I suspect. 

Mariolanza

I meant you need to be registered with one of the banks they mention, which I don't have. I got so upset with the form I wrote my 2 incomes in the grid and sent it off. It is quite daunting.  I was born and raised in Belgium from a British father and German mother.  I moved to England aged 39. I await any news from them .... of course Brexit has made things even worse ..thank you.

Mariolanza

I have another question. Could you possibly let me which website/link these people's comments are on as I may be able to help those struggling with French. I speak and read some Dutch but not enough to help. Thank you

Annemos

https://www.thebulletin.be/belgian-income-tax-return-detail
Can you get into this? The comments are written at the end of the very useful article. 

I joined it yesterday. I noticed that it has not put line-gaps in between the sentences. But I hope people can still follow my comment.

I do not know how often people monitor it. But I found it by doing a Google search on taxation of Belgian pensions, where it popped up. 

Thanks for all your support. It helps to know other people are dealing with this, too. 

Many people I know are surprised that it is taxed in Belgium. The general rule used to be you were taxed where you were resident. But obviously that is a rule that can no longer be relied upon. 

Mariolanza

Thank you. I will attempt to get on that link. I've been in receipt of both Englush and Belgian pensions since 2012. I'm registered with Self Assessment at HMRC since then as they need to be aware of your Belgian pension.  I've always paid tax on both pensions to HMRC. This is a new thing. Thanks again. 

pinnks

Did you resolve your income tax issues with Belgium?  As a result of people complaining that Belgium is seeking to tax pre-2013 pensions received by UK residents (apparently they have re-interpreted the double tax treaty), HMRC and Belgium are in discussions to see whose interpretation should prevail.  Personally, I think Belgium may have a point but that is for HMRC and Belgium to hammer out!

If you want to follow the debate, sign up to HMRC's customer forum and have a look at this thread - UK Belgium Tax treaty - Community Forum - GOV.UK (hmrc.gov.uk).  The post from 9 July 2021, with the text of a letter from a HMRC Deputy Director, on behalf of the Chief Executive on this issue would appear to suggest that they too think Belgium has a point.  

Anyway, I hope this helps you see that there are a lot of people in your situation and that HMRC and Belgium are at least talking to find the right position.  What will be interesting though is whether Belgium will insist on tax for all years since 2013 and whether HMRC will refund UK taxpayers in those circumstances, even though they normal repay only up to 6 years...   

Mariolanza

Unfortunately,  I wasn't able to resolve the problem.  The brown envelope  came through my letterbox 2 days ago, insisting on receiving my figures within a fortnight ,if not, it's a fine.  Ki would like to determine at which point tax is due in Belgium   ie above a certain income of say, £15,000 per annum?? I'm already filing a self assessment on HMRC and it doesn't sound fair to be taxed twice. Thank you

pinnks

Have another look at the thread I link to above and in particular the contribution from Birch from about 14:00 on 27 October.  This might help you resolve the issue.

Mariolanza

Thank you very much. I found the link on HMRC. Very informative but we'll have to wait for his response. 

Mariolanza

I have had confirmation today from HMRC that the double taxation treaty was amended in 2013. This means my income will now be taxed by the Belgian government, although I live in England.