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BELGIUM- Are EFL Teachers subject to huge tax?

 
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lovetoteach



Joined: 12 Oct 2011
Posts: 17

PostPosted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 11:57 pm    Post subject: BELGIUM- Are EFL Teachers subject to huge tax? Reply with quote

Hi,

I have recently come across a job in Belgium teaching English which is offering a very attractive salary of approx �2100 per month.However on further investigation into tax in Belgium I discovered it's extremely high, up to 57.3% for a single earner. To encourage foreign employment they introduced a special expatriate tax status where a resident foreigner may be granted a special tax status, allowing him/her to be taxed as a non-resident on certain categories of income. However, that status only applies to "foreign executives, specialized foreign staff or foreign research staff" and I don't think an EFL teacher comes under this category.

In short, does anyone know if I teach Engish in Belgium for less than a year say, will I be illegible to pay tax and how much tax will have to pay?

Thanks Smile
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spiral78



Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash

PostPosted: Wed Oct 26, 2011 1:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I was under the special tax rates in the Netherlands, and I worked in Belgium for a short time. earlier. I can therefore speculate from some actual knowledge about the range of tax you would likely pay. Maybe someone will come along who's got more current/specific knowledge, but I'll throw out my general stuff for whatever it's worth: You will likely pay between 30 and 50%, with 30 being the special rate for 'specialised foreign staff,' assuming that you qualify as such.

Yes, you will be taxed, and a school will definitely take the tax from your salary (but if you've got an offer - especially one that comes with a visa - ask your potential employer. They will obviously have the exact information on this).
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lovetoteach



Joined: 12 Oct 2011
Posts: 17

PostPosted: Wed Oct 26, 2011 1:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

WOW that is a LOT of tax. I read that trying to reduce the amount of tax that you pay among Belgians is like a "national sport". Also apparently if you go to an accountant they can find may ways to do this and that the accountant's fee can be written off against tax bill also. So 30% is the minimum I'll be liable to pay? When leaving the country are you entitled to any of it back?

Thanks for all your info Very Happy
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spiral78



Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash

PostPosted: Wed Oct 26, 2011 12:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Taxes are high in the Eurozone. We get health care and decent public transit in return.

Again, I believe that you're a US citizen, right? If so, it's highly unlikely that you can get a work permit for Belgium in any case, unless you're planning to get a European passport based on ancestry or to enter into a very expeditious marraige to a local.
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lovetoteach



Joined: 12 Oct 2011
Posts: 17

PostPosted: Wed Oct 26, 2011 5:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

No I'm a European Citizen from Ireland
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spiral78



Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash

PostPosted: Wed Oct 26, 2011 5:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ah, that clears that up, then - of course you're entirely eligible to work in Belgium - and to pay taxes there as well Very Happy

Seriously, wages in BE are pretty low in general, and with tax on top of it, I personally couldn't really afford to continue working there. If you're still interested in CERAN, they should be able to give you pretty accurate figures.
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