- Exemption Eligibility: Small enterprises in Belgium can opt for the SME scheme, but certain transactions, including construction works, restaurant services requiring cash registers, and non-occasional supplies of used materials, exclude them from the scheme.
- Simplified VAT Obligations: Enterprises applying the domestic SME scheme are exempt from submitting periodic VAT returns. For cross-border applications, a single prior notification replaces VAT registration in each Member State, and a single quarterly report is submitted to the Member State of establishment.
- Quarantine Periods: If excluded from the SME scheme, small enterprises face a quarantine period during which they cannot benefit from the exemption. This applies both to mandatory exclusions (e.g., exceeding national thresholds) and voluntary departures from the scheme.
- Appeals Process: Appeals related to the SME scheme should be directed to the appropriate Member State of establishment (MSEST) or Member State of exemption (MSEXE), depending on the nature of the appeal, such as turnover issues or denial of access.
- Transitional Provisions: Belgium has a transitional period for small enterprises that exceed the national annual threshold during the calendar year, with relevant information and examples available in the TEDB database.
Source ec.europa.eu
