Few checks on tax returns

The number of tax returns that the Belgian tax service actually checks continues to fall. In 2006 only three out of every thousand tax returns were closely scrutinised by Belgian tax inspectors.

Trades unionists and tax experts believe that this is insufficient.

The figures for industry are equally alarming.

Only 1.36% of the tax returns of the self-employed are closely examined today.

The figure for businesses is slightly higher: 3.22%.

Trades unionists say that the lack of checks is largely due to problems at the tax service.

They claim that the service is understaffed.

Each year 1,000 workers leave the service, but at most only 400 people are recruited to replace them.

The unions also speak of "organisational problems". A number of new managers have been appointed, but trade unionists claim they are not up to the job.

Fewer checks mean that more and more people are encouraged to commit fiscal fraud.

Foreign financial experts suggest that more checks could generate a lot of extra cash for the Belgian treasury and reduce the scale of the black economy.

flandersnews.be