The investment guide to establishing a business in Flanders offers comprehensive information about matters ranging from the type of companies that can be set up, taxation and workforce through to intellectual property rights.

I. Types of Business Entities
Branch vs Subsidiary
Types of Subsidiaries
Other Types of Business Entities

II. Starting a Business
Establishing a Branch in Flanders
Establishing a Subsidiary in Flanders
Real Estate Issues
Data Protection / Privacy Requirements

III. Business Incentives
Cash Grants
Employment and Training Incentives
Tax-related Incentives

IV. Taxation - Corporate
General Information
Tax-related Incentives
Tax Treaties
Transfer Pricing
European Parent Subsidiary Directive
Branch vs Subsidiary
Belgian Ruling System
Belgian Coordination Centers

V. Taxation - VAT
Who must register for VAT?
What are the VAT Rates?
Which VAT is deductible?
Refund of VAT to non-registered foreign taxable persons
VAT Return

VI. Taxation - Personal
What are the Principles of Personal Income Taxation?
How is Personal Income Tax calculated?
What are the Personal Income tax Rates?
How is Local Property Tax calculated?
How does Belgian Tax Law treat Stock Options?
What is the Social Security Regime for Stock Options?
What is the Special Tax Regime for Foreign Executives working in Belgium?
When is an Employee considered an Expatriate?
What are the Tax Benefits of Expatriate Status?
How is the Expatriate Tax Base calculated?
What are the Formalities in applying for Expatriate Tax Status?

VII. Workforce Issues
Recruiting and making an Offer of Employment
Employment Contracts
Wages
Sick Pay and Leave
Vacations
Social Security
Termination of Employment
Protection for Specific Groups
Organizations representing Employees
Multilingual Issues
Special Requirements for Foreign Workers

VIII. Importing and (Re)Distributing Goods
Duties and Procedures for Imports
Intra-community Supplies and Export of Imported Goods
Options for Sales Operations

IX. Competition Law
Overview
Mergers and Acquisitions
Restrictive Practices

X. Intellectual Property
Trademarks
Copyright
Patents
Software
Designs and Models
Database Protection
Trade Secrets, Confidential Information and Special Know-how

XI. Environmental Regulations
Environmental Permits
Obtaining Environmental Permits
Building Permits
Soil Remediations
Packaging Waste

XII. Migration of highly qualified foreign professionals
Employment authorization
Application for a temporary residence permit
Inscription in a Belgian commune - obtaining a Belgian residence card
Mandatory LIMOSA-declaration

For the full content of the above index please refer to www.investinflanders.com