When preparing, reviewing, or advising on annual financial statements (jaarrekening / comptes annuels) for a Belgian company.
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AGM approval deadline from financial year-end
Within 6 months from financial year-endCode des Sociétés et des Associations (CSA) / Wetboek van Vennootschappen en Verenigingen (WVV)
Annual accounts filing deadline after AGM
30 days after AGM approvalCode des Sociétés et des Associations (CSA) / Wetboek van Vennootschappen en Verenigingen (WVV)
Absolute filing deadline from year-end
At latest 7 months from year-endCode des Sociétés et des Associations (CSA) / Wetboek van Vennootschappen en Verenigingen (WVV)
Filing fee — micro model XBRL (minimum)
EUR 71.80Nationale Bank van België (NBB) — Centrale des Bilans filing tariffs (2024)
Filing fee — full model paper equivalent (maximum)
EUR 426.40Nationale Bank van België (NBB) — Centrale des Bilans filing tariffs (2024)
Late filing surcharge — 1st month after 7-month deadline (month 8)
EUR 120Code des Sociétés et des Associations (CSA) / Wetboek van Vennootschappen en Verenigingen (WVV)
Late filing surcharge — 2nd month after 7-month deadline (month 9)
EUR 240Code des Sociétés et des Associations (CSA) / Wetboek van Vennootschappen en Verenigingen (WVV)
Late filing surcharge — 3rd month after 7-month deadline (month 10)
EUR 360Code des Sociétés et des Associations (CSA) / Wetboek van Vennootschappen en Verenigingen (WVV)
Late filing surcharge — each subsequent month after month 10
EUR 600 per monthCode des Sociétés et des Associations (CSA) / Wetboek van Vennootschappen en Verenigingen (WVV)
Late filing surcharge — maximum
EUR 1,200Code des Sociétés et des Associations (CSA) / Wetboek van Vennootschappen en Verenigingen (WVV)
Correction filing window after original filing
Within 2 months of original filingNationale Bank van België (NBB) — Centrale des Bilans filing rules
Large company threshold — Turnover (excl. VAT)
EUR 11,250,000Art. 1:24 CSA/WVV
Large company threshold — Balance sheet total
EUR 6,000,000Art. 1:24 CSA/WVV
Large company threshold — Average FTE employees
50Art. 1:24 CSA/WVV
Number of criteria required to exceed to qualify as large
More than one of three criteriaArt. 1:24 CSA/WVV
Micro company threshold — Turnover (excl. VAT)
EUR 900,000Art. 1:25 CSA/WVV
Micro company threshold — Balance sheet total
EUR 450,000Art. 1:25 CSA/WVV
Micro company threshold — Average FTE employees
10Art. 1:25 CSA/WVV
Number of criteria permitted to exceed to qualify as micro
No more than one of three criteriaArt. 1:25 CSA/WVV
Consecutive years threshold breach required before reclassification
2 consecutive yearsArt. 1:24 & Art. 1:25 CSA/WVV
Effective date of revised size thresholds
Financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2024Art. 1:24, 1:25 CSA/WVV
Statutory auditor (commissaris) required — large company FTE threshold
50 FTE (must exceed for two consecutive years)Art. 1:24 CSA/WVV
Statutory auditor (commissaris) required — large company turnover threshold
EUR 11,250,000 (must exceed for two consecutive years)Art. 1:24 CSA/WVV
Statutory auditor (commissaris) required — large company balance sheet threshold
EUR 6,000,000 (must exceed for two consecutive years)Art. 1:24 CSA/WVV
Audit mandatory — companies with works council (Ondernemingsraad) employee threshold
≥ 100 employeesCode des Sociétés et des Associations (CSA) / Wetboek van Vennootschappen en Verenigingen (WVV)
Audit mandatory — companies required to consolidate
Companies forming part of a group that must consolidateArt. 3:72 CSA
Duration of statutory auditor mandate
3 renewable yearsArt. 3:58 CSA
Primary legislation governing chart of accounts and annual account formats
Koninklijk Besluit / Arrêté Royal of 29 April 2019Koninklijk Besluit / Arrêté Royal of 29 April 2019
Quick Reference
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Country | Belgium (Koninkrijk België / Royaume de Belgique) |
| Currency | EUR |
| Filing authority | Nationale Bank van België / Banque Nationale de Belgique (NBB/BNB) — Centrale des Bilans |
| Primary legislation | Code des Sociétés et des Associations (CSA) / Wetboek van Vennootschappen en Verenigingen (WVV) |
| Supporting legislation | Koninklijk Besluit / Arrêté Royal of 29 April 2019 (chart of accounts and annual account formats) |
| Accounting standards | Belgian GAAP (KB/AR of 29 April 2019 + Advice CBN/CNC) |
| Financial year | Any 12-month period (calendar year most common) |
| Filing deadline | 30 days after AGM approval; at latest 7 months from year-end |
| Filing fee | EUR 71.80–426.40 (depending on model and filing method) |
| Digital filing | XBRL via NBB Filing application (filing.nbb.be) |
Reporting Framework
| Entity type | Applicable standard |
|---|---|
| Large companies | Belgian GAAP — volledig schema / schéma complet (full model) |
| Small companies | Belgian GAAP — verkort schema / schéma abrégé (abbreviated model) |
| Micro companies | Belgian GAAP — micro schema / schéma micro (micro model) |
| Listed groups (consolidated) | IFRS as adopted by the EU (mandatory) |
| Non-listed groups (consolidated) | Belgian GAAP consolidated rules or IFRS (choice) |
Belgian GAAP is unique to Belgium and differs significantly from IFRS in areas such as extraordinary items, provisions, revaluations, and revenue recognition.
Effective for financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2024 (Art. 1:24, 1:25 CSA/WVV):
Large company thresholds (Art. 1:24 CSA/WVV)
| Criterion | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Jaaromzet / Chiffre d'affaires (Turnover excl. VAT) | EUR 11,250,000 |
| Balanstotaal / Total du bilan (Balance sheet total) | EUR 6,000,000 |
| Gemiddeld personeelsbestand / Effectif moyen (FTE) | 50 |
Micro company thresholds (Art. 1:25 CSA/WVV)
| Criterion | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Jaaromzet / Chiffre d'affaires (Turnover excl. VAT) | EUR 900,000 |
| Balanstotaal / Total du bilan (Balance sheet total) | EUR 450,000 |
| Gemiddeld personeelsbestand / Effectif moyen (FTE) | 10 |
Required Financial Statements
| Document | Micro | Small (verkort) | Large (volledig) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balans (Balance sheet) | Required (micro model) | Required (abbreviated) | Required (full) |
| Resultatenrekening (P&L) | Required (micro model) | Required (abbreviated) | Required (full) |
| Toelichting (Notes) | Required (minimal) | Required (abbreviated) | Required (full) |
| Sociale balans (Social report) | Required | Required | Required |
| Jaarverslag (Management report) | Not required | Not required | Required |
| Verslag commissaris (Audit report) | Not required | Not required | Required |
Year-End Adjustments Checklist
| # | Adjustment | Belgium-specific notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Afschrijvingen (Depreciation) | Linear depreciation standard; declining balance if justified; minimum fiscal rates often applied |
| 2 | Voorzieningen voor risico's en kosten | CBN/CNC advice; probable and estimable obligations |
| 3 | Overlopende rekeningen (Accruals) | Strict matching; prorata temporis |
| 4 | Waardevermindering op handelsvorderingen (Bad debts) | Case-by-case assessment; tax deductibility requires proof of irrecoverability |
| 5 | Voorraden (Inventory) | Lower of cost (FIFO/weighted average/LIFO allowed) and market value |
| 6 | Uitgestelde belastingen (Deferred tax) | Very limited under Belgian GAAP — only timing differences on grants and capital gains |
| 7 | Wisselkoersverschillen (FX) | Monetary: closing rate; unrealised losses provisioned; unrealised gains not recognised |
| 8 | Vakantiegeld (Holiday pay) | Mandatory provision for holiday pay earned but not yet paid |
| 9 | Herwaarderingsmeerwaarden (Revaluations) | Permitted under Belgian GAAP if durable excess value; credited to revaluation surplus |
| 10 | Eindejaarspremie (13th month provision) | Provision for year-end premium if applicable per CLA |
| 11 | Investeringsaftrek (Investment deduction) | Tax computation item; off-balance sheet |
| 12 | Ontvangen subsidies (Grants) | Capital grants: balance sheet item released over asset life |
Belgian GAAP — volledig schema (by nature):
I. Bedrijfsopbrengsten (Operating income)
A. Omzet (Turnover)
B. Wijziging in voorraad goederen in bewerking, gereed product
C. Geproduceerde vaste activa
D. Andere bedrijfsopbrengsten
II. Bedrijfskosten (Operating charges)
A. Handelsgoederen, grond- en hulpstoffen
B. Diensten en diverse goederen
C. Bezoldigingen, sociale lasten en pensioenen
D. Afschrijvingen en waardeverminderingen
E. Voorzieningen voor risico's en kosten
F. Andere bedrijfskosten
G. Als herstructureringskosten geactiveerde bedrijfskosten (-)
III. Bedrijfswinst / Bedrijfsverlies (Operating profit/loss)
IV. Financiële opbrengsten (Financial income)
V. Financiële kosten (Financial charges)
VI. Winst / Verlies uit gewone bedrijfsuitoefening
VII. Uitzonderlijke opbrengsten (Exceptional income)
VIII. Uitzonderlijke kosten (Exceptional charges)
IX. Winst / Verlies van het boekjaar vóór belasting
X. Belastingen op het resultaat (Income tax)
XI. Winst / Verlies van het boekjaar (Net profit/loss)
XII. Onttrekking aan belastingvrije reserves
XIII. Overboeking naar belastingvrije reserves
XIV. Te bestemmen winst / verlies van het boekjaar
Belgian GAAP — volledig schema:
ACTIVA (Assets)
VASTE ACTIVA (Fixed assets)
I. Oprichtingskosten (Formation expenses)
II. Immateriële vaste activa (Intangible assets)
III. Materiële vaste activa (Tangible assets)
A. Terreinen en gebouwen
B. Installaties, machines en uitrusting
C. Meubilair en rollend materieel
D. Leasing en soortgelijke rechten
E. Overige materiële vaste activa
F. Activa in aanbouw
IV. Financiële vaste activa (Financial fixed assets)
VLOTTENDE ACTIVA (Current assets)
V. Vorderingen op meer dan één jaar
VI. Voorraden en bestellingen in uitvoering
VII. Vorderingen op ten hoogste één jaar
VIII. Geldbeleggingen (Short-term investments)
IX. Liquide middelen (Cash)
X. Overlopende rekeningen (Accrued income/prepayments)
─────────────────────────────────────
PASSIVA (Equity and Liabilities)
EIGEN VERMOGEN (Equity)
I. Inbreng (Capital / Contribution)
II. Uitgiftepremies (Share premium)
III. Herwaarderingsmeerwaarden (Revaluation surplus)
IV. Reserves
V. Overgedragen winst/verlies (Retained earnings)
VI. Kapitaalsubsidies (Capital grants)
VOORZIENINGEN EN UITGESTELDE BELASTINGEN (Provisions)
VII. Voorzieningen voor risico's en kosten
VIII. Uitgestelde belastingen
SCHULDEN (Liabilities)
IX. Schulden op meer dan één jaar
X. Schulden op ten hoogste één jaar
XI. Overlopende rekeningen (Accrued charges/deferred income)
Notes to Accounts requirements by size
| # | Disclosure | Micro | Small (verkort) | Large (volledig) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Accounting policies (waarderingsregels) | Simplified | Required | Required |
| 2 | Fixed asset movements | Not required | Required (summary) | Required (full) |
| 3 | Financial fixed assets detail | Not required | Required | Required (full) |
| 4 | Receivables/payables maturity | Required | Required | Required |
| 5 | Results – breakdown | Not required | Simplified | Required |
| 6 | Social balance sheet (sociale balans) | Required | Required | Required |
| 7 | Directors' remuneration | Not required | Not required | Required |
| 8 | Off-balance commitments (rechten en verplichtingen) | Required | Required | Required |
| 9 | Related party transactions | Not required | Not required | Required |
| 10 | Tax regime information | Not required | Simplified | Required |
| 11 | Revaluations detail | Not required | If applicable | Required |
| 12 | Profit appropriation | Required | Required | Required |
Filing Requirements
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Filing authority | Nationale Bank van België (NBB) — Centrale des Bilans |
| Filing method | XBRL via filing.nbb.be (web application or software interface) |
| AGM approval deadline | Within 6 months from financial year-end |
| Filing deadline | 30 days after AGM; at latest 7 months from year-end |
| Filing fee (2024) | EUR 71.80 (micro XBRL) to EUR 426.40 (full model, paper equivalent) |
| Format | XBRL (mandatory); PDF for additional documents |
| Language | Dutch, French, or German (depending on registered office region) |
| Late filing surcharge | EUR 120 (month 8) increasing to EUR 1,200 (month 12+) — additional cost per month |
| Correction filing | Possible within 2 months of original filing |
Late filing cost calculation
| Month after 7-month deadline | Additional surcharge |
|---|---|
| 1st month (month 8) | EUR 120 |
| 2nd month | EUR 240 |
| 3rd month | EUR 360 |
| Each subsequent month | EUR 600 (to max EUR 1,200) |
Large company thresholds (audit) (Art. 1:24 CSA/WVV)
| Criterion | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Turnover (excl. VAT) | EUR 11,250,000 |
| Balance sheet total | EUR 6,000,000 |
| Employees (FTE) | 50 |
This 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.
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Other Belgium computations in the OpenAccountants Tax Library.
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