Belgian Firms Receive Wrong VAT Bills Amid Technical Glitch

Belgian companies are facing confusion and frustration after receiving erroneous Value Added Tax (VAT) payment reminders for the second quarter of 2026, despite having settled their dues on time. The Royal Company of Accountants and Tax Advisors of Belgium (CRECCB) has denounced what it calls an "unacceptable" "double collection" of VAT by the Federal Public Service (SPF) Finances. Businesses received threatening letters demanding payment within 48 hours for VAT that had already been paid correctly.

CRECCB highlighted the unnecessary distress caused to entrepreneurs, the wasted time for accountants and tax advisors dealing with already compliant files, and the damage to confidence in digital administration. The organization urged the SPF Finances to issue a proactive communication, informing affected VAT payers that the reminders are due to a technical issue, no one who paid on time will suffer prejudice, and accountants bear no responsibility. They also called for the administration to identify and structurally resolve the root cause of the error.

The SPF Finances acknowledged technical problems in processing certain VAT payments, confirming that around 190,000 incorrect payment notices were mistakenly sent. The department reassured businesses that individuals who had already paid within the deadline would have their payment dates honored, thus avoiding late interest or penalties. Those who have already settled their payment need not take any further action, as their cases are being rectified. The SPF Finance stated it is working to restore normal VAT payment processing and has implemented measures to prevent further erroneous messages until the technical issues are fully resolved.