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expat tax status for American

Question

I'm trying to get answers about this mysterious expat tax status I've heard about. My employer, who provided my work permit, sponsored my Belgian visa, etc. told me I may qualify and if so, it would mean an additional €500/month by my calculations, not bad. However, I work for a small startup and the financial services firm (also a startup) we outsource this stuff to has never applied for it. I've searched online but even the info provided by KPMG, Deloitte, etc., seem intentionally vague. Can anyone point me in the direction of useful information that I can provide my employer so that they can see if I qualify.

anon

"Expat tax status" is usually for people who are "temporarily" assigned to a job in Belgium. It is typically applied when a foreign company moves an existing employee into Belgium to work. i.e. it is much easier to claim it if you were already employed by the company outside of Belgium, and they have moved you to Belgium. It can also be used as in your case, where you've been hired from abroad for a specific job.

There is a reasonably comprehensive guide here from Taxconsult, a smaller independent accounting firm, who also happen to be pretty good at this sort of stuff.

http://www.taxconsult.be/_media/files/Memo%20on%20the%20special%20tax%20...

Apr 1, 2017 16:17
Mikek1300gt

The sites of the big tax advisors are intentionally vague for good reason, so you pay them to do the work. They don't want to give you full instructions on how to do it yourself.

Given that you work for a start up using a start up and that the vast majority of Americans(let alone their start up employers) have no idea of their tax issues with the USA, I suggest you look to that issue before worrying about your Belgian taxes.

Indeed, depending on your position in the company, your start up might need to be worrying about it's US tax obligations.

Apr 3, 2017 01:13
Porcha

The process of "Sepcial tax regime for expats" should be taken care by your employer. Take it up with your HR dept. Also I agree on "Mikek1300gt" comment on US tax obligations.

Apr 3, 2017 11:09