To have a detailed overview of the Brussels and Federal measures, you can consult the following website www.brubiz.be
SME plan available in Dutch and in French 18.09.2008
Recovery Plan: Restoring Confidence - 11.12.2008 in Dutch and in French
Lamfalussy report (Engels) - 16.06.2009
BeCeFi
Participation Fund
NISSE
NSSO
SPF Finance
FEB - Febelfin
BECEFI
Company Credit Mediator
Since February 2009, Mr Chris Dauw has been assuming his Credit Mediator duties within BeCeFi. The Credit Mediator function has been set up within the framework of the federal plan for SMEs and, more generally, within the Federal Government's economic recovery programme.
The Credit Mediator services are accessible to any company, business leader, shopkeeper, craftsman, or professional person who or which is looking for credit but is unable to secure it.
For more information on this service, go to the Credit Mediator's website: www.mediateurducredit.be
PARTICIPATION FUND
On 24 October 2008 , Sabine Laruelle and Didier Reynders, the trustee ministers, announced that the Participation Fund's role would be reinforced in favour of SMEs. On the one hand, the Fund's capitalization has been reinforced thanks to the launching of a second Starters Fund, intended to collect 300 million euros from the general public. On the other, the Initio credit has been introduced in order to make access to credit easier for entrepreneurs. The goal being to reverse the process at the time of the search for funds. Indeed, before the crisis, obtaining an agreement with the bank was a precondition of sending a file to the Participation Fund. With Initio, the entrepreneur can initially lodge his application with the Participation Fund, and then, with the Fund's agreement, go to the bank to complete his or her loan.
On the 4th of March 2009 , Casheo, another new Participation Fund product, was presented to the public. Thanks to Casheo, companies have the possibility of assigning to the Participation Funds their receivables from public institutions. The Fund then advances them 80% of the invoice and then concerns itself with collecting the money from the institutions. The system is addressed to companies employing 50 people at most or who have a balance sheet total of 10 million euros at most. Casheo makes it possible to mobilise SME receivables on public or semi-public institutions (Federal State, Regions, provincial and local authorities ) and companies significantly controlled by public capital and/or by public law (Belgacom, La Poste, Infrabel, etc).
NISSE
- To come to assistance of the self-employed who are experiencing serious liquidity problems the federal government has decided to grant payment facilities for social security contributions, by the means of discharging plans and - exceptionally – the possibility of asking for exemption of the increases relating to the social security contributions for three first quarters of 2009, and for the adjustments. You will find further information here for the French version and here for the Dutch version
- Given the current economic turbulence the Federal Government has approved a new, temporary enactment to support self-employed who find themselves in economical difficulties. They can receive a benefit, for a maximum period of six months, if they meet certain requirements. This benefit is equal to the social security allowance one can receive in case of bankruptcy. The request, by means of a well-reasoned registered letter, must be submitted between the first of July and the 31st of December 2009. Here you can find more details and the specific criteria in Dutch or in French.
link to website NISSE
NSSO
EBecause of the financial crisis, many companies are finding it hard to honour their social security obligations. Those can ask for time as well as an exemption of sanctions. For this last measure, a procedure specific to the crisis has been put in place. You will find further information here in French and here in Dutch.
link to website NSSO
SPF FINANCES
- Deferral of Income Tax Payment
The Council of Ministers has formulated a bill aiming at allow employers a temporary reduction of their payroll charges. This bill intervenes on two levels:
- On the one hand, the debtor of the income tax due on the payroll will be able to defer, for 3 months (or one quarter), the payment of that income tax;
- On the other, this debtor will be able to obtain a partial defrayment of the interest of a loan relating to the payment of the income tax.
Until the text has been adopted by Parliament, this information must be read conditionally.
The deferred payment of income tax does not mean any deferral of the obligations relating to the tax returns. These will continue to be required within the customary time-frames. (Source: www.brubiz.be)
The increase in certain tax deductions will involve a decrease of the payroll charge for the employer. Indeed, the latter will have to pay less income tax to the Treasury. Here concretely are the reductions of tax charges covered by the measure:
- The overtime for which reduced charges are possible will be increased. Currently, the measure applies to the first 65 hours. In future, deductions will be possible for the first 100 hours in 2009 and will increase to 130 in 2010.
- Reduction of tax charges for night-work and teamwork. Since 1 April 2007 , this tax reduction has been 10.7%. As from on 01 June 2009 , this percentage will be increased to 15.6% .
- The AIP reduction, better known as “structural inter-professional salary correction”. This linear charge reduction currently takes the form of the non-payment of 0.25% of the income tax. This AIP reduction of about 0.25%, rises to 0.75% with effect from 01 June 2009 and to 1% with effect from o1 January 2010. (Source: www.brubiz.be)
- Accelerated VAT Reimbursement. More companies can from now on benefit from a monthly reimbursement of their VAT credit. This accelerated VAT reimbursement can from now on be solicited by:
- Practically all companies applying the “Deferred Collection” regime of the tax towards the beneficiary, especially those in the construction sector and including companies identified for VAT in Belgium without being established there
- Companies that deliver goods and/or provide services outside of Belgium
- l
Companies that are not applying the “Deferred Collection” regime, but which are applying the reduced rate of 6% in the construction sector.
Duly justified applications for benefiting from monthly reimbursement can already be lodged with the VAT authorities. . (Source: www.brubiz.be)
link to website FPS Finance
FEB – FEBELFIN
The FEB and Febelfin have set up a contact point which has been at companies' disposal since 13 October 2008 . Entrepreneur who think that they have a good file but have been refused credit, or who would like to receive further information concerning their files, can receive the assistance of four financial sector experts. Contact point available in Dutch and in French.
You can contact them via 02/504 68 68 or surf to the website www.febelfin.be
