Tax authorities to screen real estate sites

Belgium’s Special Tax Inspectorate of the FPS Finance will take a closer look at popular real estate websites in an attempt to tackle fraud in the sector, including unregistered sales and the evasion of income tax, VAT and registration fees, report L'Echo and De Tijd.

"Real estate agencies and brokers will be checked," says Elke Sleurs (N-VA), the secretary of state charged with combating tax fraud. "Some agencies try to erase all traces of their involvement in the sale of a property."

In addition to real estate sites, the BBI will also target popular online shopping sites like eBay. "We will look for people who regularly sell cars, for example, often under various user names. Such a person must register as a professional seller and meet their tax obligations."