Belgium removes online gambling VAT exemption

The Belgian House of Representatives voted on July 1 to remove the broad-based value-added tax exemption enjoyed by the online gambling sector, according to a report in the publication Tax-News.

The change appears to be discriminatory; it would make all gambling and games of chance that take place online subject to VAT in the future, but maintains the exemption granted to lotteries and land-based gambling.

In a statement the Belgian Finance Minister, Johan Van Overtveldt, said that the implementation of the new law will not take place until August 1 2016 in order to give the online gambling industry time to prepare for the change. Originally, the amendment was to apply from July 1, 2016, but has been postponed.

Online operators are still required to pay 11 percent of GGR in tax.

The Ministry of Finance is to issue guidance for companies on the legislation.

The Belgian legal company Tiberghien has raised questions on the changes here:

http://www.wts.com/en/docs/TIBERGHIEN-848065-v1-newsletter_VAT_online_gambling.pdf