Belgium — Business: Annual Compliance

Why this matters

Businesses operating in Belgium must comply with annual requirements to maintain licenses and avoid fines.

Key facts

• Accounts go to the general meeting for approval within six months of the year end, and directors file them with the NBB within 30 days of approval, at the latest seven months after year end.
• Companies in liquidation file within one month of submission to the general meeting and no later than seven months after the close of the financial year.
• A surcharge is added to the filing fee for late filings.
• The official filing date of accepted annual accounts is the date of submission, and the NBB warns that last-minute filings can saturate the filing application.

Steps

1. Step 1: File Annual Financial Statements — Companies must submit their annual financial statements to the Belgian Companies Register within a set timeframe, which can vary depending on the company type.
2. Step 2: File Annual Taxes — Businesses must file their annual tax returns and pay any outstanding taxes to the Belgian tax authorities.
3. Step 3: Review Additional Requirements — Companies must review industry-specific regulations and file any additional required documents, such as environmental or labor reports.