To tackle the energy crisis, the following measures have been decided:

  • Introduction of an excess profit tax for energy producers with an income above 180 EUR per MWh between 01/01/22 and 30/11/22 and above 130 EUR per MWh between 01/12/22 and 30/06/23 (possibly extended beyond June 2023); and
  • Solidarity contribution from the oil sector.

This revenue will be spent on:

  • Reduction of the employer social security contributions on the extra wage after indexation: waiver for Q1 and Q2 of 2023 and delayed payment for Q3 and Q4 of 2023;
  • Permanent reduced VAT rate of 6% on gas and electricity, however compensated by an adjustment of excise duties when prices normalize; and
  • Extension of the rebate on households鈥� energy bill and of the reduction of excise duties on gas and electricity for businesses until March 2023.

To reduce the budget deficit, the following tax measures have been decided:

  • Minimum tax of 15% for companies with profits above 1 MEUR by reducing the use of tax deductions in the basket from 70% to 40% (only in 2023);
  • Abolition of the notional interest deduction (at least for large companies);
  • Adjustment of tax treatment of foreign tax credit for royalties;
  • Reform of the copyright regime as from 2024;
  • Abolition of the tax reduction for second dwellings as from 2024;
  • Bank tax no longer deductible;
  • Indexation of parafiscal company contribution;
  • Reinforcement of a packaging levy;
  • Increase excise duties on tobacco, also excise duties on e-cigarettes as from 2024;
  • Technical correction of implementation VAT directive on e-commerce; and
  • Intention to work out 鈥渉ealth shift鈥� by increasing VAT on unhealthy products and decreasing VAT on healthy products (such as vegetables and fruit)

Lastly, the Minister of Finance has been asked to submit a proposal for a tax reform by 1 December 2022.

More details will be communicated as soon as they become available.