Welcome to the Field

Business combinations where the accounting is incomplete at the reporting date

A business combination often results in a fundamental change to an entity's operations. The nature and extent of the financial statement disclosures can significantly impact a user's ability to assess the effects of the acquisition on the consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, the disclosure requirements for business combinations under IFRS 3 ‘Business Combinations’ are quite extensive.

Starting 1 January 2026, all Belgian VAT-registered businesses must issue structured electronic invoices for B2B transactions. This article outlines the formal requirements for invoices, including mandatory content, language, and currency rules. It also explains the legal consequences of non-compliance, such as VAT deduction refusal and penalties, and highlights the importance of invoice accuracy and supporting documentation.

Share-based payments have become increasingly popular over the years, with many entities using equity instruments or cash and other assets based on the value of equity instruments as a form of payment to directors, senior management, employees and other suppliers of goods and services.

As of January 1st, 2025, company directors in Belgium are facing significantly increased liability exposure due to the adoption of Book 6 of the New Civil Code. This reform has abolished two long-standing protective principles that previously shielded directors from direct claims by contractual partners of the company they govern.

Gaining a clear understanding of the value of your business is essential for making strategic decisions. These decisions determine the future development of your assets. It is important to note that value is the result of a calculation and varies depending on the valuation method. The price someone is willing to pay may differ from the value and is usually the result of negotiations.

The article discusses how SMEs can reduce the tax burden on dividend distributions by reserving profits in a liquidation reserve. It discusses the benefits of the asymmetric allocation of this reserve where there is a mixed shareholder profile, enabling different share classes to be created to optimise tax benefits. The Tax Ruling Committee has confirmed that this approach is not considered to be a form of tax abuse. With a timely amendment to the articles of association, companies with mixed shareholder profiles can make the most of the liquidation reserve.

Share-based payments have become increasingly popular over the years, with many entities using equity instruments or cash and other assets based on the value of equity instruments as a form of payment to directors, senior management, employees and other suppliers of goods and services.

Communication is key. Starting the conversation during your lifetime and making clear agreements with your heirs will in many cases mean that conflicts are avoided. In this article, we look at a number of tools for starting the conversation and documenting a number of agreements in a family context.

In a world where technology is finding its way into every area of our daily lives, companies are faced with the challenge of integrating innovative solutions without compromising their employees’ privacy. Biometric time recording such as the use of fingerprints is an efficient way to keep track of employee attendance. The crucial question, however, is how this technology fits in with the strict rules of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). In this article, we discuss the legal aspects of the use of biometric data in the workplace in light of a recent case.

We are pleased to announce the release of our 'IFRS Example Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements 2025'. This publication is designed to support our clients in achieving high-quality and consistent application of IFRS standards. The Interim Financial Statements cover a six-month period starting from January 1, 2025, and have been meticulously updated to incorporate the latest changes in IAS 34 and other relevant IFRS effective for the year ending December 31, 2025. This resource serves as both an educational tool and a practical guide, illustrating typical transactions across various non-specialist sectors. While it provides a comprehensive example, we acknowledge that specific circumstances may require different approaches. We hope this publication will be a valuable asset for your financial reporting needs.

The ecological transition for SMEs: an overview

The importance of corporate compliance: peace of mind in a complex legal landscape

The European Parliament has voted to approve the "Stop the Clock" directive, part of the Omnibus I proposal, which delays the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) for certain entities until 2028. This directive aims to simplify existing legislation and boost EU competitiveness. The article provides an overview of the revised CSRD timeline and offers recommendations for companies to maintain focus on sustainability.

‘Find out about the specific rules on language use in employment documents in Belgium. Discover how places of business and regional language requirements affect employment contracts, work regulations and more.’

Be careful if you gift the bare ownership of your company’s shares to your children but are still counting on the liquidation reserves you have formed