The general policy statement produced by the Finance Minister, Johan Van Overtveldt (of the New Flemish Alliance), has no commitment on capital gains tax. This was both demanded and obtained by the Flemish Christian Democrats, during the federal budget negotiations. This point is reported in Le Soir, La Libre Belgique and De Tijd today (Wednesday).
The Minister presented his official statement to deputies, detailing his political agenda for the coming year.
Corporation tax and savings mobilisation feature, but not capital gains tax.
This was noted by the deputy Georges Gilkinet (of Ecolo - the French-speaking Green party).
The deputy commented in Le Soir, “Of the three measures, the minister, Johan Van Overtveldt, ruled out the single one with a social element, a measure which his party's President, Bart De Wever, moreover did not want.”
The deputy went on, “From the start of this parlimentary session, the Flemish Christian Democrats have just given slap in the face after slap in the face!”
He went on, “We would favour the production of a schedule of capital gains taxes currently existing.”
Amongst other things, he further said, “We need to analyse whether with corporation tax it is possible to simplify matters.”
Minister Van Overtveldt's office responded in La Libre Belgique, “Rushing to instigate a capital gains tax without assessing the consequences for savers, investors and businesses is not a good thing.”
The Brussels Times
