1. How the contributions of self-employed are calculated.
Since January 1st 2015, Belgian government introduced a new system of calculation.
Previously : the self employed payed (quarterly) a final social security contribution on his yearly net professional income of three years ago.
Now : the self-employed pays (quarterly) a social security contribution on his income of this same year.
We distinct 2 steps :
payment of a provisional contribution this year (N).
recalculation of the final contribution in year N+2 and call in or reimbursement of the difference.
This system and the accompanying measures require great discipline of the self-employed to follow the evolution of his income. The assistance of a good accountant is therefore recommended.
Contribution rate (*) :
until 2015 : 22.00%
in 2016 : 21.50%
in 2017 : 21.00%
from 2018 : 20.50%
Social contributions are professional costs which are 100% deductible of your professional income of the year in which they have been payed effectively.
(*) This is a general principle with exceptions and conditions. For facts and figures, please refer to the table on the site of Group S (pdf on the bottom of the page). Don’t hesitate to call Mrs. Liesbet Michiels ( ) or Mrs. Lutgart Demeulenaere ( ) for detailed information. The Formalis counters, Points of Single Contact of Group S, can also provide great information (
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Old system
1968 – 2014
You payed a final contribution on your income of 3 years ago.
Actual system
2015 –> ... :
You pay provisional contributions, based on your income of 3 years ago (based on the legal minimum for starters).
Two years later, when the fund gets your final income, it recalculates your final contributions and reckons with what have been payed.
Your final contribution is composed of the sum of your provisional contributions and the balance of what have been calculated two years later. There are possibilities to correct the provisional contributions within legal boundaries.
From now on, you pay social security contributions on your income of this year. One part (provisional) now and an other part within two years.
2014
2017
2018
2019
2020 N
Provisional contribution 2017 on income 2014
Provisional contribution 2018 on income 2015
Provisional contribution 2019 on income 2016
Provisional contribution 2020 on income 2017
Provisional contribution
N on income N-3
+ Revision of 2019
+ Revision of 2020
+ Revision of 2021
+ Revision of 2022
+ Revision of N+3
Recalculation of the contribution on the income of 2017
Recalculation of the contribution on the income of 2018
Recalculation of the contribution of N-3 on the income of N-3
Final contribution 2014
on income 2011
Final contribution 2017
on income 2017
There are correction possibilities at the provisional contributions :
If you consider your income will be higher than the base on which the actual contribution is calculated : You may always proceed to voluntarily additional payments.
If you consider that your income of this year will be much lower than the calculation base : To benefit from a reduction in provisional contributions, you must assemble a dossier on the basis of objective evidence proving your loss. This reduction can only occur with the observance of the basic incomes that the law determines for your category. (please first contact your account manager)
Final contribution 2018
on income 2018
Final contribution 2019
on income 2019
Final contribution 2020
on income 2020
Final contribution N
on income N
So, it’s important…
for each year, as soon as possible and at the latest in early December, to make a provisional assessment of your income :
Social contributions paid effective for one year are expenses for that year.
You may at any time transfer a voluntary contribution to bring your contributions in accordance with your income. This avoids surprises in two years.
You will also know exactly how much you will get back in two years if you have paid too much this year.
Also make an estimate of what you expect to earn next year and take the measures that would be appropriate.
Do not hesitate to call your account manager. He can be of good advice.
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