Insights

Social The National Social Security Office broadens the concept of 'at charge of the employer

The recently published Administrative Instructions for the third quarter of 2018 show that the NSSO provides an expanded interpretation of the concept of "wages" for the levying of social security contributions. The NSSO fills in the term 'at charge of the employer' more broadly. Advantages that are awarded by a third party, which is not the employer, directly to employees, without any intervention of the employer, can nevertheless be regarded by the NSSO as wages. Hereinafter we outline the terms "wages", "at charge of the employer" and the consequences of the extended interpretation.

Legal Individuals behind companies: to be declared to the UBO register!

On 16 October 2017, as you are doubtless aware, the new anti-money-laundering law came into force. The legislation provides a few obligations.

Tax Tax guide 2018

Our tax guide can be used as a mnemonic for frequently used tax rates.

VAT VAT and international freight transport services: new developments

In a B2B context services are considered to take place where the recipient of the services is established. However, for certain transport services the place of supply is determined based on the 'actual usage' of the services. This deviating place of supply rule (i.e. the 'use & enjoyment' rule) was amended with effect as of 23 November 2017.

VAT Optional VAT charge on lease of immovable goods

With effect of 1 October 2018 an optional VAT system would be foreseen for the immovable lease of (parts of a) buildings, which are “erected” or “sustainably renewed” and used for business purposes (B2B context) under certain conditions.

Benefit in kind Calculator tool Benefit in Kind

Calculate the benefit in kind and employer's expenses for your company car

Valuations Completion mechanics: Completion Accounts or Locked Box?

Settlement mechanisms in the completion of a company takeover

Valuations The impact of debt and debt-like items on the transaction price

Impact of debts when determining the share price

Legal Creation of a UBO register: share ownership anonymity continues to crumble away

On 18 September 2017, a new anti-money-laundering law was approved, which came into effect on 16 October 2017 and which completely supersedes the anti-money-laundering law of 11 January 1993. In this article we focus on an innovation in this new law which may have a significant impact on entrepreneurs: the creation of a ‘Register of ultimate beneficial owners' ('UBO register'). Through this register, the tax authorities can gain an even better picture of what shares an individual owns.

Valuations Cash and cash-like items: what's in a name?

Impact of cash when determining the share price in a company takeover

Valuations The difference between Enterprise value and Equity value

How do you determine the share price in a company takeover?

GDPR GDPR in a nutshell

GDPR, the new and obligatory way to protect your personal data

International business report (IBR) Business confidence grows, but threats still loom

IBR

IBR Women in business

Women in business

Corporate governance report 2016 Boards of the future

History tells us that the successful companies of today aren't guaranteed to be those of tomorrow. How should companies survive, adapt and thrive? Fundamental to the answer is good corporate governance.

Advisory A seller's market set to continue after a big year for M&A

Companies are increasingly focused on high-quality strategic transactions, with less time spent on investigating peripheral opportunities, according to our International Business Report (IBR), a survey of 5,400+ business leaders in 35 economies.

GrowthiQ Lessons on big data from the healthcare sector

The healthcare sector is still experimenting with using big data but it already has plenty to teach us about the benefits and challenges of big data analytics.

International Business Report (IBR) The future of Europe 2016

The European economy, still continuing its economic recovery after the 2008 financial crisis, faces many potential risks. Though varied, they fall into two broad categories. Firstly, a band of social and political pressures which are driving media headlines: a potential ‘Brexit’, the migrant crisis and the continued rise of nationalist sentiment. Secondly, we have economic issues that have been present for a good few years: high unemployment, low inflation and persistently low economic growth.

IFRS IFRS News - Q2 2016

IFRS News is your quarterly update on all things relating to International Financial Reporting Standards. We’ll bring you up to speed on topical issues, provide comment and points of view and give you a summary of any significant developments.

Tax International indirect tax guide 2016

This publication explains and illustrates key tools companies can use to make their financial statements an effective communcation tool.

GrowthiQ How to avoid a communications crisis

If you don’t want to deal with a communications crisis, make sure your corporate governance procedures are robust enough to prevent it in the first place

Assurance The future of audit

Insights on audit and its future in rapidly changing world. Follows a series of roundtables hosted by Grant Thornton and ACCA in seven countries.

GrowthBlog First employment in Belgium – no employers contributions due!

An interesting measure further to the so-called tax shift is the ( almost full) exemption of employers contributions in case of a first employment in Belgium.

IFRS Making financial statements an effective communication tool

This publication explains and illustrates key tools companies can use to make their financial statements an effective communcation tool.

IBR Women in business: turning promise into practice

The gender diversity issue has been on the business agenda for many years now, yet a third of businesses still have no women at a senior management level. Somewhere there is a disconnect.

Travel, tourism & leisure The power of personalisation: Hotels’ roadmap to 2020

The power of personalisation: Hotels’ roadmap to 2020

Tax Rethinking tax: The shift to indirect tax

Whilst corporate tax avoidance continues to grab headlines, some of the biggest reforms are in fact occurring within indirect tax.

IFRS Reverse acquisition by a listed company

This IFRS viewpoint considers the reverse acquisition by a listed shell company.

International Business Report (IBR) The global economy in 2016

As businesses look to 2016 and beyond, this report considers the outlook for the global economy in 2016.

IFRS IFRS News - Q1 2016

IFRS Classification of loans with covenants

Grant Thornton International Ltd releases IFRS Viewpoint on Classification of loans with covenants

Public sector Innovation in Public Financial Management

Public Financial Management (PFM) is evolving from a narrow focus on budgeting towards a wider mandate as a key driver of policy and strategy across all levels of government, public services, state enterprises and public-private partnerships.

Advisory How to be cyber-secure

The 2015 Grant Thornton International Business Report (IBR), a global survey of 2500 business leaders in 35 economies, has revealed that over the past 12 months more than 15% of businesses across the world have suffered a cyber-attack, costing a total of more than $300 billion (link). That's just the measurable costs. Who knows what the reputational damage, loss of trust and custom adds up to.

IFRS Common control business combinations

Common control business combinations

GrowthBlog Think before you act – the importance of good requirements management.

Our experienced consultants map requirements along with you based on input from different stakeholders. They help you select the right partner for the build of your automation solution and involve you throughout implementation. We are convinced Grant Thornton can help you align your requirements process in a way your projects will provide solutions to actual needs.

IFRS Inventory discounts and rebates

This IFRS Viewpoint considers how a purchaser accounts for discounts and rebates when buying inventory.

IFRS IFRS News - Q4 2015

IFRS Acquisition of investment properties

When should a purchase of investment property (or properties) be accounted for as a business combination, and when as a simple asset purchase? This is an important issue because the IFRS accounting requirements for a business combination are very different from asset purchases. Distinguishing business combinations and asset purchases can also be challenging for many other types of transaction and judgement is often required. This is particularly the case when investing in assets that generate cash flows on a standalone basis such as retail outlets and hotels. We focus here on investment property but the underlying arguments apply more broadly.

GrowthiQ How to be cyber-secure

Cyber-attacks are set to grow in their number and nature; those companies that embed security measures into their culture will be most successful at fending them off, says Paul Jacobs

IFRS Related party loans at below-market interest rates

This IFRS viewpoint provides a framework for accounting for loans made by an entity to a related party that are at below-market levels of interest.

Transfer pricing Transfer pricing guide

More and more fiscal authorities continue to develop their transfer pricing laws. The principles are common, although interpretations differ from one tax authority to another.

Real estate and construction Uncovering opportunities for overseas investment

Soft power and gut instinct is driving an estimated US$250bn per year in overseas real estate investment, showing that feeling rather than data analysis determines many investment decisions.