Thousands of people using new tax law to perform side jobs

More than 8,000 people took advantage of new tax legislation that took effect last July that allows them to earn up to €6,000 tax free. The tax advantage applies to those who have a work contract but earn something on the side.

To get the tax advantage, a person must be an employee with a work contract of at least four-fifths of full time, fully self-employed or retired and receiving a pension. If any of those apply they can earn up to €500 per month carrying out a side activity.

The side activity cannot be a job with a contract but rather freelance work. “Doing odd jobs for a neighbour or for a non-profit is in the interest of society,” said federal minister of social welfare Maggie De Block. “People come in contact with each other this way and strengthen the social fabric.”

To that end, it appears that sport clubs are the greatest beneficiary. A full 70% of the workers taking advantage of the tax change are working with sport clubs, often as coaches. “The sport sector has been asking for years for a simpler fee-paying structure,” said De  Block.