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1---
2name: belgium-bookkeeping
3description: >
4 Use this skill whenever asked about Belgian bookkeeping, chart of accounts, PCMN/MAR, annual accounts filing, balance sheet or P&L format in Belgium. Trigger on phrases like "Belgian bookkeeping", "PCMN", "MAR", "Plan Comptable Minimum Normalisé", "minimumindeling", "jaarrekening Belgium", "comptes annuels", "NBB filing", "Nationale Bank", "micro-entity Belgium", "Belgian GAAP", "small company Belgium", "chart of accounts Belgium", "boekhoudwetgeving", "WVV", or any question about recording transactions, financial reporting, or accounting standards for Belgian entities.
5version: 1.0
6jurisdiction: BE
7category: bookkeeping
8depends_on:
9 - bookkeeping-workflow-base
10---
11 
12# Belgium Bookkeeping Skill v1.0
13 
14---
15 
16## Section 1 -- Quick Reference
17 
18| Field | Value |
19|---|---|
20| Country | Belgium (Koninkrijk België / Royaume de Belgique) |
21| Currency | EUR |
22| Financial year | Flexible (most common: 1 January -- 31 December) |
23| Accounting standards | Belgian GAAP; Royal Decree of 29 April 2019 (WVV/CSA execution) |
24| Standard chart of accounts | PCMN / MAR (Plan Comptable Minimum Normalisé / Minimumindeling Algemeen Rekeningenstelsel) |
25| Governing body | CNC/CBN (Commission des Normes Comptables / Commissie voor Boekhoudkundige Normen) |
26| Key legislation | Code des Sociétés et des Associations (CSA) / Wetboek van Vennootschappen en Verenigingen (WVV); Arrêté Royal 29/04/2019 |
27| Filing obligation | Nationale Bank van België (NBB/BNB) -- within 7 months of year-end |
28| Tax authority | SPF Finances / FOD Financiën |
29| Mandatory chart | Yes -- PCMN/MAR is legally required for all enterprises subject to bookkeeping obligations |
30 
31---
32 
33## Section 2 -- Standard Chart of Accounts (PCMN/MAR)
34 
35The PCMN is the legally mandated Belgian chart of accounts. It uses 7 main classes (1-7) plus optional classes 8 and 9.
36 
37### Class 1 -- Equity, Provisions and Long-Term Debt
38 
39| Code | Account | Description |
40|---|---|---|
41| 10 | Capital | Share capital |
42| 11 | Contribution hors capital | Share premium and other contributions |
43| 12 | Plus-values de réévaluation | Revaluation surpluses |
44| 13 | Réserves | Reserves |
45| 130 | Réserve légale | Legal reserve |
46| 131 | Réserves indisponibles | Unavailable reserves |
47| 133 | Réserves disponibles | Available reserves |
48| 14 | Bénéfice/Perte reporté(e) | Retained earnings / accumulated losses |
49| 15 | Subsides en capital | Capital grants |
50| 16 | Provisions | Provisions for liabilities and charges |
51| 17 | Dettes à plus d'un an | Amounts payable after more than one year |
52| 170 | Emprunts subordonnés | Subordinated loans |
53| 172 | Emprunts bancaires | Bank loans (long-term) |
54| 173 | Dettes de location-financement | Finance lease obligations |
55| 175 | Dettes commerciales | Trade debts (long-term) |
56 
57### Class 2 -- Formation Expenses, Fixed Assets, Long-Term Receivables
58 
59| Code | Account | Description |
60|---|---|---|
61| 20 | Frais d'établissement | Formation/incorporation expenses |
62| 21 | Immobilisations incorporelles | Intangible fixed assets |
63| 210 | Frais de R&D | Research and development costs |
64| 211 | Concessions, brevets, licences | Concessions, patents, licences |
65| 212 | Goodwill | Goodwill |
66| 22 | Terrains et constructions | Land and buildings |
67| 23 | Installations, machines | Plant, machinery and equipment |
68| 24 | Mobilier et matériel roulant | Furniture and vehicles |
69| 240 | Mobilier et matériel de bureau | Office furniture and equipment |
70| 241 | Matériel informatique | Computer hardware |
71| 242 | Matériel roulant | Vehicles |
72| 25 | Immob. détenues en location-financement | Assets held under finance leases |
73| 26 | Autres immob. corporelles | Other tangible fixed assets |
74| 27 | Immob. financières | Financial fixed assets |
75| 28 | Amortissements | Accumulated depreciation (contra) |
76| 29 | Créances à plus d'un an | Amounts receivable after more than one year |
77 
78### Class 3 -- Inventories and Work in Progress
79 
80| Code | Account | Description |
81|---|---|---|
82| 30 | Matières premières | Raw materials |
83| 31 | Fournitures | Consumables |
84| 32 | En-cours de fabrication | Work in progress |
85| 33 | Produits finis | Finished goods |
86| 34 | Marchandises | Goods for resale |
87| 35 | Immeubles destinés à la vente | Real estate for sale |
88| 36 | Acomptes versés | Advance payments on inventory |
89| 37 | Commandes en cours | Contracts in progress |
90 
91### Class 4 -- Receivables and Payables (within one year)
92 
93| Code | Account | Description |
94|---|---|---|
95| 40 | Créances commerciales | Trade receivables |
96| 400 | Clients | Customers |
97| 401 | Effets à recevoir | Bills of exchange receivable |
98| 44 | Dettes commerciales | Trade payables |
99| 440 | Fournisseurs | Suppliers |
100| 441 | Effets à payer | Bills of exchange payable |
101| 45 | Dettes fiscales, salariales, sociales | Tax and social security payables |
102| 450 | Dettes fiscales estimées | Estimated tax payable |
103| 451 | TVA à payer | VAT payable |
104| 452 | Impôts et taxes à payer | Taxes payable |
105| 453 | Précomptes retenus | Withholding taxes |
106| 454 | ONSS | Social security payable |
107| 455 | Rémunérations | Wages payable |
108| 46 | Acomptes reçus | Advance payments received |
109| 48 | Dettes diverses | Sundry payables |
110| 49 | Comptes de régularisation | Accruals and deferred income |
111| 490 | Charges à reporter | Deferred charges |
112| 491 | Produits acquis | Accrued income |
113| 492 | Charges à imputer | Accrued charges |
114| 493 | Produits à reporter | Deferred income |
115 
116### Class 5 -- Cash and Short-Term Investments
117 
118| Code | Account | Description |
119|---|---|---|
120| 50 | Actions propres | Own shares |
121| 51 | Actions et parts | Shares and participations |
122| 52 | Titres à revenu fixe | Fixed-income securities |
123| 53 | Dépôts à terme | Term deposits |
124| 55 | Établissements de crédit | Bank accounts |
125| 550 | Compte courant | Current account |
126| 56 | Office des chèques postaux | Postal account |
127| 57 | Caisses | Cash in hand |
128| 58 | Virements internes | Internal transfers |
129 
130### Class 6 -- Charges (Expenses)
131 
132| Code | Account | Description |
133|---|---|---|
134| 60 | Approvisionnements et marchandises | Purchases of goods/materials |
135| 600 | Achats de matières premières | Purchases of raw materials |
136| 604 | Achats de marchandises | Purchases of goods for resale |
137| 61 | Services et biens divers | Services and miscellaneous goods |
138| 610 | Loyers et charges locatives | Rent and related charges |
139| 611 | Entretien et réparations | Maintenance and repairs |
140| 612 | Fournitures (énergie, eau) | Utilities (energy, water) |
141| 613 | Fournitures de bureau | Office supplies |
142| 614 | Assurances | Insurance |
143| 615 | Transports | Transport costs |
144| 616 | Frais postaux et télécom | Postal and telecoms |
145| 617 | Honoraires | Professional fees |
146| 618 | Publicité | Advertising |
147| 619 | Rétributions de tiers | Third-party remuneration |
148| 62 | Rémunérations et charges sociales | Staff costs |
149| 620 | Rémunérations brutes | Gross wages |
150| 621 | Cotisations patronales ONSS | Employer social security |
151| 623 | Assurance groupe/pension | Group insurance/pension |
152| 63 | Amortissements et réductions de valeur | Depreciation and write-downs |
153| 630 | Dotation aux amortissements | Depreciation charge |
154| 634 | Réductions de valeur stocks | Write-down on inventory |
155| 64 | Autres charges d'exploitation | Other operating charges |
156| 640 | Taxes d'exploitation | Operating taxes (précompte immobilier, etc.) |
157| 65 | Charges financières | Financial charges |
158| 650 | Intérêts sur emprunts | Interest on borrowings |
159| 653 | Frais bancaires | Bank charges |
160| 66 | Charges exceptionnelles | Extraordinary charges |
161| 67 | Impôts sur le résultat | Income taxes |
162| 670 | Impôts belges sur le résultat | Belgian income tax |
163 
164### Class 7 -- Produits (Income)
165 
166| Code | Account | Description |
167|---|---|---|
168| 70 | Chiffre d'affaires | Turnover |
169| 700 | Ventes de marchandises | Sales of goods |
170| 701 | Ventes de produits finis | Sales of finished products |
171| 706 | Prestations de services | Services rendered |
172| 71 | Variation des stocks/en-cours | Change in inventories/WIP |
173| 72 | Production immobilisée | Capitalised production |
174| 74 | Autres produits d'exploitation | Other operating income |
175| 75 | Produits financiers | Financial income |
176| 750 | Produits des immob. financières | Income from financial assets |
177| 751 | Produits des actifs circulants | Income from current assets |
178| 753 | Intérêts créditeurs | Interest received |
179| 76 | Produits exceptionnels | Extraordinary income |
180| 77 | Régularisation d'impôts | Tax adjustments |
181 
182---
183 
184## Section 3 -- Revenue Recognition
185 
186### Cash vs Accrual Basis
187 
188| Entity Type | Basis | Notes |
189|---|---|---|
190| All companies (SA/BV/SRL/NV) | Accrual (mandatory) | WVV/CSA requires accrual under all schemes |
191| Sole trader (entreprise individuelle) | Simplified if turnover < EUR 500,000 | Single-entry allowed below threshold |
192| Liberal professions | Accrual (double-entry) | Must keep double-entry books if company form |
193 
194### Key Rules
195 
196- Revenue recognised at the point of delivery for goods, at completion/over time for services
197- Belgian GAAP follows prudence principle (voorzichtigheidsbeginsel): unrealised gains are not recognised, unrealised losses are provided for
198- Construction contracts: completed-contract method is the norm under Belgian GAAP (unlike IFRS)
199- Invoicing triggers VAT obligation regardless of payment (factuurstelsel)
200 
201### Simplified Bookkeeping Thresholds
202 
203- Enterprises with annual turnover (excl. VAT) ≤ EUR 500,000 may use simplified single-entry bookkeeping (purchase/sales journal, financial journal, inventory once per year)
204- Above EUR 500,000: full double-entry bookkeeping is mandatory
205 
206---
207 
208## Section 4 -- Expense Classification
209 
210### Deductible Expenses (Key Categories)
211 
212| Category | PCMN Code | Tax Deductibility |
213|---|---|---|
214| Office rent | 610 | 100% deductible |
215| Utilities (business) | 612 | 100% deductible |
216| Professional fees (accountant, lawyer) | 617 | 100% deductible |
217| Insurance (business) | 614 | 100% deductible |
218| Advertising | 618 | 100% deductible |
219| Office supplies | 613 | 100% deductible |
220| Postage and telecoms | 616 | 100% deductible (business portion) |
221| Bank charges | 653 | 100% deductible |
222| Software subscriptions | 613/617 | 100% deductible |
223| Staff costs | 62x | 100% deductible |
224 
225### Partially/Non-Deductible Expenses
226 
227| Category | Limitation |
228|---|---|
229| Restaurant expenses (business) | 69% deductible |
230| Representation costs (gifts, receptions) | 50% deductible |
231| Company car costs | Limited by CO₂ formula; minimum 50% deductible (decreasing for polluting vehicles) |
232| Clothing (non-uniform) | 0% -- personal expense |
233| Fines and penalties | 0% -- never deductible |
234| Income tax (ISOC/VenB) | 0% -- never deductible |
235| Social benefit in kind (excessive) | Subject to benefit-in-kind taxation |
236 
237### Company Car Formula (from 2020)
238 
239Deductibility % = 120% - (0.5% × CO₂ coefficient × CO₂ emission in g/km). Minimum 50%, maximum 100%. From 2026: fully electric = 100% deductible; fossil fuel cars purchased after 01/07/2023 face decreasing deductibility.
240 
241---
242 
243## Section 5 -- Asset vs Expense Thresholds
244 
245### Capitalization Rules
246 
247| Rule | Detail |
248|---|---|
249| Mandatory capitalization | All assets with useful life > 1 year must be capitalized (no de minimis threshold in law) |
250| Common practice threshold | Assets < EUR 1,000 often expensed directly (administrative tolerance, not law) |
251| Formation expenses | May be capitalized and amortized over max 5 years |
252| R&D costs | May be capitalized if conditions met (CNC/CBN Advice 138/1) |
253 
254### Depreciation Methods and Rates
255 
256| Asset Type | Method | Common Rate |
257|---|---|---|
258| Industrial buildings | Straight-line | 5% (20 years) |
259| Commercial buildings | Straight-line | 3% (33 years) |
260| Plant and machinery | Straight-line | 20% (5 years) |
261| IT equipment (computers) | Straight-line | 33% (3 years) |
262| Office furniture | Straight-line | 10-20% (5-10 years) |
263| Vehicles | Straight-line | 20% (5 years) |
264| Software | Straight-line | 33% (3 years) |
265| Goodwill | Straight-line | Min. 5 years (max 20% p.a.) |
266| Intangible assets (general) | Straight-line | Minimum 5 years (20% max) |
267| Formation expenses | Straight-line | Maximum 5 years (20%) |
268 
269### Key Rules
270 
271- Proportional (pro rata temporis) depreciation in year of acquisition -- calculated on daily basis
272- Double declining balance method was formerly allowed; now only straight-line is accepted for tax (since 2020 reform for large companies; SMEs retained declining-balance option)
273- SMEs may opt for declining-balance (max 2× straight-line rate, capped at 40% of acquisition cost)
274- Residual value is typically EUR 0 (Belgian practice)
275 
276---
277 
278## Section 6 -- P&L Format (Compte de Résultats / Resultatenrekening)
279 
280Belgium prescribes a specific P&L format in the Royal Decree. Small companies use the "abbreviated" scheme; micro-entities use the "micro" scheme.
281 
282### Full/Abbreviated Scheme (by Nature)
283 
284```
285I. Chiffre d'affaires (Turnover) xxx
286II. Variation des stocks / en-cours xxx
287III. Production immobilisée xxx
288IV. Autres produits d'exploitation xxx
289 -------
290 Total produits d'exploitation xxx
291 
292V. Approvisionnements et marchandises (xxx)
293VI. Services et biens divers (xxx)
294VII. Rémunérations et charges sociales (xxx)
295VIII. Amortissements et réductions de valeur (xxx)
296IX. Provisions pour risques et charges (xxx)
297X. Autres charges d'exploitation (xxx)
298 -------
299 Bénéfice/Perte d'exploitation xxx
300 
301XI. Produits financiers xxx
302XII. Charges financières (xxx)
303 -------
304 Bénéfice/Perte courant(e) xxx
305 
306XIII. Produits exceptionnels xxx
307XIV. Charges exceptionnelles (xxx)
308 -------
309 Bénéfice/Perte de l'exercice avant impôts xxx
310 
311XV. Impôts sur le résultat (xxx)
312 -------
313XVI. Bénéfice/Perte de l'exercice xxx
314```
315 
316---
317 
318## Section 7 -- Balance Sheet Format (Bilan / Balans)
319 
320Belgium uses a prescribed vertical format.
321 
322### Full/Abbreviated Scheme
323 
324```
325ACTIF (Assets)
326 
327ACTIFS IMMOBILISÉS (Fixed assets)
328 I. Frais d'établissement xxx
329 II. Immobilisations incorporelles xxx
330 III. Immobilisations corporelles xxx
331 IV. Immobilisations financières xxx
332 
333ACTIFS CIRCULANTS (Current assets)
334 V. Créances à plus d'un an xxx
335 VI. Stocks et commandes en cours xxx
336 VII. Créances à un an au plus xxx
337 VIII. Placements de trésorerie xxx
338 IX. Valeurs disponibles xxx
339 X. Comptes de régularisation xxx
340 -------
341TOTAL DE L'ACTIF xxx
342 =======
343 
344PASSIF (Equity & Liabilities)
345 
346CAPITAUX PROPRES (Equity)
347 I. Capital/Apport xxx
348 II. Primes d'émission xxx
349 III. Plus-values de réévaluation xxx
350 IV. Réserves xxx
351 V. Bénéfice/Perte reporté(e) xxx
352 VI. Subsides en capital xxx
353 
354PROVISIONS ET IMPÔTS DIFFÉRÉS xxx
355 VII. Provisions pour risques et charges xxx
356 VIII. Impôts différés xxx
357 
358DETTES (Liabilities)
359 IX. Dettes à plus d'un an xxx
360 X. Dettes à un an au plus xxx
361 XI. Comptes de régularisation xxx
362 -------
363TOTAL DU PASSIF xxx
364 =======
365```
366 
367---
368 
369## Section 8 -- Bank Reconciliation Patterns
370 
371### Belgian Bank Statement Formats
372 
373| Bank | Format | Key Fields |
374|---|---|---|
375| KBC | CSV, CODA, MT940 | Date, Amount, Counterparty, Communication (structured/free) |
376| BNP Paribas Fortis | CSV, CODA | Date, Amount, Details, Counterparty name, Communication |
377| Belfius | CSV, CODA | Date, Amount, Counterparty, Reference, Communication |
378| ING Belgium | CSV, CODA | Date, Amount, Description, Counterparty IBAN |
379| Argenta | CSV | Date, Amount, Description, Counterparty |
380| Crelan | CSV, CODA | Date, Amount, Reference, Communication |
381 
382### CODA Format
383 
384CODA (COdified DAily statement) is the Belgian standard bank statement format. All Belgian banks provide CODA files, which can be imported directly by accounting software (Exact, Yuki, Octopus, etc.).
385 
386### Structured Communication (+++xxx/xxxx/xxxxx+++)
387 
388Belgian transfers often use structured communication (gestructureerde mededeling / communication structurée) -- a 12-digit number formatted as +++xxx/xxxx/xxxxx+++. This is used for:
389- Tax payments to FOD/SPF
390- Social security (ONSS/RSZ) payments
391- Invoice references (OGM/VCS)
392 
393### Common Transaction Descriptions
394 
395| Pattern | Classification |
396|---|---|
397| DOMICILIERING, DOMICILIATION | Direct debit (recurring expense) |
398| OVERSCHRIJVING, VIREMENT | Bank transfer |
399| BANCONTACT, MISTER CASH | Card payment |
400| FOD FINANCIEN, SPF FINANCES | Tax payment |
401| RSZ, ONSS | Social security payment |
402| SOCIAAL SECRETARIAAT | Payroll bureau fee |
403| PROVISIE, BANKKOSTEN | Bank charges |
404| INTRESTEN, INTÉRÊTS | Interest (check direction) |
405 
406---
407 
408## Section 9 -- Micro-Entity / Small Business Simplifications
409 
410### Size Categories (from financial years starting after 31 December 2023)
411 
412| Category | Balance Sheet Total | Turnover (excl. VAT) | Employees |
413|---|---|---|---|
414| Micro | ≤ EUR 450,000 | ≤ EUR 900,000 | ≤ 10 |
415| Small (Petit/Klein) | ≤ EUR 6,000,000 | ≤ EUR 11,250,000 | ≤ 50 |
416| Large | Exceeds 2+ small criteria | | |
417 
418Must not exceed more than one criterion on the balance sheet date of the last completed financial year.
419 
420### Simplifications
421 
422| Feature | Micro | Small | Large |
423|---|---|---|---|
424| Annual accounts scheme | Micro-scheme | Abbreviated scheme | Full scheme |
425| Filing with NBB | Required (micro model) | Required (abbreviated) | Required (full) |
426| Statutory audit | Not required | Not required | Required |
427| Management report | Not required | Not required | Required |
428| Notes detail | Very limited (8 items) | Limited | Full |
429| Filing fee (2025) | EUR 72.10 (online) | EUR 72.10 (online) | EUR 405.10 (online) |
430| Social balance sheet | Not required | Required if employees | Required |
431 
432### Sole Traders / Self-Employed (Zelfstandigen)
433 
434- Turnover ≤ EUR 500,000 (excl. VAT): simplified single-entry bookkeeping permitted
435- Above EUR 500,000: full double-entry bookkeeping mandatory
436- All self-employed must file annual income tax (personenbelasting/IPP) with annexe for professional income
437- Social contributions paid to social insurance fund (sociaal verzekeringsfonds)
438 
439---
440 
441## Section 10 -- Interaction with Tax Skills
442 
443### Corporate Income Tax (ISOC/VenB)
444 
445- Annual accounts are the starting point for the tax computation
446- Fiscal result = accounting profit + disallowed expenses (DNA) - tax-exempt income
447- Key add-backs: restaurant costs (31%), representation (50%), car excess, fines
448- Use the be-income-tax skill for detailed calculation
449 
450### VAT (TVA/BTW)
451 
452- VAT is recorded in accounts 411 (input VAT recoverable) and 451 (output VAT payable)
453- Monthly or quarterly VAT returns depending on turnover threshold (EUR 2,500,000)
454- Annual client listing (listing annuelle) due by 31 March
455- Intra-community listings due monthly
456- Use the belgium-vat-return skill for filing details
457 
458### Social Contributions
459 
460- Self-employed: quarterly social contributions to sociaal verzekeringsfonds (accounts 62x for companies, deducted personally for sole traders)
461- Company employer contributions: approximately 25-30% of gross salary (ONSS/RSZ)
462- Use the be-social-contributions skill for details
463 
464---
465 
466## Disclaimer
467 
468This skill and its outputs are provided for informational and computational purposes only and do not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Open Accountants and its contributors accept no liability for any errors, omissions, or outcomes arising from the use of this skill. All outputs must be reviewed and signed off by a qualified professional before filing or acting upon.
469 

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About

Use this skill whenever asked about Belgian bookkeeping, chart of accounts, PCMN/MAR, annual accounts filing, balance sheet or P&L format in Belgium. Trigger on phrases like "Belgian bookkeeping", "PCMN", "MAR", "Plan Comptable Minimum Normalisé", "minimumindeling", "jaarrekening Belgium", "comptes annuels", "NBB filing", "Nationale Bank", "micro-entity Belgium", "Belgian GAAP", "small company Belgium", "chart of accounts Belgium", "boekhoudwetgeving", "WVV", or any question about recording transactions, financial reporting, or accounting standards for Belgian entities.

BEty-2025

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