Tax Return: Stock Exchange Tax

Belgium has always charged a tax on stock exchange transactions, such as the purchase and sale of some financial instruments (that is a general term for stocks, bonds, units of mutual funds, etc …) on a secondary market, and the sale of mutual funds (UCITS), through a Belgium-based professional intermediary, a bank or broker.  

The tax is also due when you buy or sell through a foreign bank or on an online account. And you must declare and pay the stock exchange tax yourself, unless the overseas bank appoints a representative to do that.

The rate varies depending on the nature of the instrument, and the tax is payable by each party to the transaction. The stock exchange tax is charged at :

• 0.35% on the sale or purchase of shares (maximum €1,600 per transaction);
• 0.12% for bonds and mutual funds (max. €1,300);
• 1.32% on the sale of accumulation mutual funds (capped at €4,000);

When a distribution fund redeems its units, no tax is due, but the sale or purchase of such units on the secondary market if that were possible would be taxed at 0.12% (with a maximum of €1,300).

Belgian residents who must pay the stock exchange tax must file a tax return and pay the tax before the end of the second month following the taxable transaction.

See also “The (unknown) Stock Exchange Tax“

Your tax return:

• the Guide
• Tax filing in Corona Times
• Is this your first time?
• Couples and Children
• When do I need to file?
• on Paper or Online?
• Filing Online
• Filing on Paper
• The Taxman sends a Tax Proposal
• Help!?
• Checklist
• Box I – Contact Details and Bank Account
• Box II – Your Family Situation
• Box III – Real Estate
• Box IV – Earnings
• Box V – Pensions
• Cross Border Taxation
• Box VI – Maintenance Received
• Box VII – Investment Income
• Box VIII – Maintenance Paid and Losses from Previous Years
• Box IX – Mortgage Payments
• Box X – Other Tax Deductions
• Box XII – Paying your Taxes in Advance
• Capital Gains
• Box XIII – Overseas Accounts and Insurance Policies
• Box XIII – Trusts
• Stock Exchange Tax
• Tax on Securities Accounts
• Nowhere to hide
• The Tax Bill
• Appealing the Tax Bill