Federal Council adopts dispatch on double taxation agreement with Belgium

Bern, 19.09.2014 - At its meeting today, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the revision of the double taxation agreement with Belgium and submitted the agreement to the Federal Assembly for approval. The agreement contains an administrative assistance clause in accordance with the current international standard for the exchange of information upon request. The additional agreement will strengthen the good economic relations between Switzerland and Belgium.

The double taxation agreement with Belgium from 1978 can be adjusted to the prevailing circumstances with the additional agreement. This contains the current international administrative assistance standard, which provides for the exchange of information upon request. Moreover, the additional agreement improves matters for the taxation of dividends, interest and royalty payments. In particular, tax exemptions in the source state have been agreed for pension funds. Other improved tax arrangements have been negotiated for interest on intercompany loans and dividends paid to certain companies. These rules promote investments and economic exchange in the bilateral relations between the countries.

The additional agreement was signed in Brussels on 10 April 2014. The cantons and business associations concerned have welcomed the revision of the agreement. To date, Switzerland has signed 49 double taxation agreements that are in line with the international standard on the exchange of information; 38 of these are in force.

Address for enquiries

Bilateral Tax Issues and Double Taxation Treaties Section, State Secretariat for International Financial Matters SIF
Tel. +41 58 462 71 29, dba@sif.admin.ch