- Real Estate, Renting and Co-ownership
- Alain De Jonge
- optional VAT , lease of buildings for professional use
Contrary to earlier announcements, the optional VAT system on lease of real estate will be introduced. This system, once approved in parliament, will enter into force on 1 October 2018. This will promote the logistic sector, suffering a competitive disadvantage compared to the neighbouring countries.
In an earlier article we announced that the current government, in the summer agreement of 26 July 2017, had decided to introduce an optional system for VAT on professional lease.
A few months later, in November 2017, we wrote that the optional
VAT-system would not be introduced because the impact on the state’s budget would be too important.
During the budget control of 24-25 March 2018, the government came back on its decision and decided
to introduce the VAT-system after all, and adopted a preliminary draft of law amending the VAT
code, which still needs to be approved by the parliament. Once approved the new regulation should
enter into force on 1 October 2018.
Under the new rules one will be able to opt to subject the rent on buildings to VAT. This option is subject to two basic conditions:
The option can therefore not be taken in case of lease to private individuals or other
non-taxable persons, or in case of a lease to a taxable person leasing the building for private
purpose. The option is available for the lease of residential real estate, such as nursing homes
for the elderly or student homes, by the owner to the operator of the institution.
The VAT option regarding parts of buildings can only be taken if such parts can be operated
independently, i.e. with a separate entrance. A building with mixed activities can be separated in
two parts, one of which is used exclusively for economic activities.
The taxation is only possible if the option thereof is explicitly taken. This option must be
exercised by the lessor and lessee collectively. The specific conditions to exercise this option
will be determined by Royal Decree.
The option remains in place for the entire duration of the leases. Should the parties enter into a
new lease agreement, they have once again the possibility to opt or not for VAT. The same applies
when the lease is renewed.
An existing exception of VAT exemption on the lease of warehouses, under certain conditions, will be replaced by this new optional regulation.
For the contracts still in force the current rules on lease of warehouses remain in place. The existing rules regarding immoveable leasing remains in place and the conditions of the Royal Decree n° 30 of 29 December 1992 must be complied with.
It is possible that during the term of the lease agreement the conditions for submitting the
rent to VAT no longer apply. In such case, the option shall automatically be suspended for as long
as the conditions do not apply. This will then lead to a revision of the initially deducted VAT for
the construction cost or purchase price, when the conditions no longer apply during the revision
period, and this for the rest of the duration of the lease. The lease agreement can of course
provide that in such case the lessee must indemnify the lessor for the financial consequences of
the changed use of the building by the lessee.
The initial lease agreement may also terminate (by resignation, dissolution, or end of term) during
the revision period. This may lead to a revision of VAT, except if the lessor can demonstrate that
it took all necessary steps to lease the building with VAT, or if the building remains empty due to
circumstances that makes it impossible to carry out an economic activity, e.g. after a fire.
Rent-free periods provided for in the lease agreement do not lead to a VAT revision. In regard of
the optional VAT regime the revision period has been brought to 25 years starting on the date the
building is being used.
The purpose of this reform is to promote the logistic sector. Due to the exemption of VAT this
sector suffered a competitive disadvantage compared to the neighbouring countries. In addition,
this reform wishes to promote the construction of new buildings, including fundamental renovation,
in other sectors.
The new optional VAT regime will only apply to the lease of new buildings, i.e. only for buildings
erected as from 1 October 2018, and for which no VAT was payable prior to this date that can be
attributed to that building project. This includes preparatory works invoiced before 1 October 2018
(e.g. architects fees).
The above-described VAT rules are still in draft from. We shall of course keep you informed of
further developments.