Tiberghien.wts has extensive experience in offering its clients advice and support on all indirect tax matters, particularly on VAT, customs, and excise duties, but not limited to these areas. For example, environmental taxes are becoming an increasingly important part of our service offering.

Indirect taxes are built on international common standards, with the EU VAT and customs/excise legislation being prime examples. Furthermore, these taxes often have an international link, given Belgium’s central location in the EU and its export-oriented economy. With team members closely following international developments, Tiberghien.wts is agile in providing swift advice in a global context.

The indirect tax team at Tiberghien.wts advises clients on all related aspects. We differentiate ourselves from other advisors in that:

• We have a dedicated and specialized team exclusively focused on this area of taxation. This team deals with VAT, customs, excise duties, etc., on a daily basis.
• Our advice is always linked to an assessment of the impact on other taxes and vice versa.
• Our extensive network of international contacts enables us to advise our clients quickly and efficiently about indirect taxes within an international context, where the Tiberghien.wts team often manages and supports an EU/worldwide tax position for clients in different countries.
• Where IT tools can help, we support their implementation.
• We assist with VAT/intrastat compliance, such as requesting VAT numbers, submitting VAT (and intrastat) returns and listings, assisting with correct invoicing, auditing ERP systems, and ensuring correct transaction processing.
• We advise businesses on the correct VAT structuring of major transactions and supply chains.
• We provide vendor/buyer due diligence services.
• We assist with correct invoicing and VAT in a domestic and international context (cross-border services, import/export, etc.) and also link this to advice on customs/excise duties.
• We assess whether VAT can be reclaimed and assist businesses in managing this in a global context.
• We liaise with the Advance Tax Rulings Service, the central VAT administration, or local VAT offices and submit and negotiate tax rulings and individual decisions.
• We assist with VAT, customs, or excise audits and represent clients vis-à-vis the authorities. We can rely on good contacts with these authorities in negotiations.
• And of course, we defend our clients’ (tax) rights with the highest standards during VAT audits and before court.

Our Indirect Taxes practice group advises a wide range of clients, including:

• Major Belgian and multinational companies operating in Belgium, including major groups in various sectors of industry: industrial production, automotive, logistics and import/export, energy, etc.
• In the finance sector: financial institutions, insurance companies, investment funds, intermediaries, etc.
• In real estate: we advise real estate companies (construction companies, property developers, intermediaries, etc.) and other businesses on major real estate transactions (investments, sales)