BRUSSELS — Half of the tax controllers dealing with company tax failed the test checking their professional qualifications, De Standaard reports.

16,000 tax service employees were invited to take a training course last year, seventy percent joined the training. At the end of the course, a test was organised. A premium was promised of up to 2,500 euros for those who passed the test.

In some departments – Customs & Excise Tax, among others – over 95 percent of the employees passed.

Meanwhile, in a number of important sectors the test results have led to some serious disappointments. Of the employees controlling tax payments at large companies, only 52 percent of the Dutch-speaking and 49 percent of the French-speaking personnel have passed. At the VAT control department, this percentage was 46 and 44 percent, respectively.

This means that half of the employees don’t know how to do their job, said Marc Nijs of the General Christian Professional Union (ACV).

In the opinion of François Goris of the Financial Union, “The tax service employees feel like they are not competent now. The tests have led to uncertainty in their actions.”

Most tax specialists say their theoretical knowledge had been checked instead of their practical skills. New tests are being developed.

[Copyright Expatica 2007]

Subject: Belgian news