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Monday, 06 April 2020

Can an accelerated refund of my VAT-credit be requested?

Stijn Vastmans

Stijn Vastmans

Partner
Ghent
Gert Vranckx

Gert Vranckx

Counsel
Hasselt

Yes, the Belgian government has granted an accelerated refund of the VAT credit with respect to the February 2020 VAT return for all companies that submit monthly VAT returns and whose VAT credit amounts to at least EUR 245 (i.e. regardless of whether a special permit for monthly VAT refunds has been obtained). Following this special tax measure, a reimbursement of the VAT credit could already be expected by 30 April 2020 at the latest.

A request thereto should be made in the February 2020 VAT return by 3 April 2020 at the latest (i.e. by ticking the box “ask for a VAT refund“).

To qualify for the refund, the following conditions apply:

  • The VAT credit position should amount to at least EUR 245;
  • All VAT returns for the current calendar year must be submitted;
  • The VAT authorities know the bank account details of the company requesting the refund
  • There is no opposition to this refund (e.g. due to a transfer of debt or garnishment)
  • The VAT returns has to be submitted in INTERVAT
  • In this VAT return, the box “Aanvraag tot terugbetaling” / “Demande de restitution” should be ticked.

In case the February 2020 VAT return is already filed, and the refund request box was not ticked, then a corrective VAT return (with said box ticked) can be filed in INTERVAT by 3 April 2020 the latest.

If you have any questions on this subject, please contact the authors of this article.