Supplementary self-employed status on increase...possibly for last time

Supplementary self-employed status on increase...possibly for last time
If the new “untaxed income” status comes into force, there will be lower incomes for the self-employed.

Belgium had 258,934 people with active supplementary self-employed status at the end of 2017, or 6% more year on year. The figures were made public on Monday by the Self-employed Trade Union (SNI), on the basis of figures produced by the National Social Insurance Institute for Self-employed Workers (INASTI).

During the same period, the number who were self-employed as their main occupation only increased by 1%.

The SNI fears that this will be the last growth in those with supplementary self-employed status. If the new “untaxed income” status comes into force, nearly one in three will make the transition to this category. As a consequence, there will be lower incomes for those with self-employed status. The FPS Social Security says that this category would, in that event, lose €109 million. The SNI believes, “This would leave a large hole in the social protection system for the self-employed.”

Consequently, the organisation would like a new initiative to put an end to unfair competition within affected sectors. The SNI thus proposes that each such worker be able to work additional untaxed hours for their employer (up to a maximum amount of €500 per month). Furthermore, the President of the SNI, Christine Mattheeuws, indicates, “The self-employed within affected sectors should have the opportunity to earn €500 per month tax-free.”

 
The Brussels Times


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