Economic unemployment for non-manual workers: relaxation for companies not subject to VAT

A company that is not subject to VAT and that wants to make use of the system of economic unemployment for its non-manual workers can now rely on any accounting document or justification to prove that it is in difficulty.

This relaxation comes into effect on 3 December 2023.

Reminder

When a company wishes to use the temporary unemployment system for its non-manual workers due to a lack of work resulting from economic causes, it must be considered as a company in difficulty and provide proof of this.

Among others, companies are considered as such if they have experienced a substantial decrease of at least 10% in turnover, production or orders in one of the four quarters preceding the application for economic unemployment, compared with the same quarter in one of the two calendar years preceding the application.

Proof of the decrease

The company shall provide proof of the decrease in its turnover, production or orders by means of:

• VAT returns if it is subject to VAT;
• any accounting document or justification (other than VAT returns) if it is not subject to VAT.

Update (05.12.2023)! Companies not subject to VAT must submit form C106A-NTVA to the National Employment Office (ONEm/RVA).

Source:  Law of 5 November 2023 on various provisions relating to labour, Belgian Official Gazette of 23.11.2023.