VAT Chain - provision account finally enters into force as from 1 May 2026

After several postponements, the final parts of the VAT chain, except for the payment via direct debit, will enter into force as from 1 May 2026.

In that context, the VAT provision account will replace the current account, the account numbers for the payment of VAT and the VAT refund procedure will change, while the holiday scheme will be abolished.

VAT Provision Account

The VAT Provision Account will replace the VAT current account.

If all periodic VAT returns are submitted by 30 April 2026, any credit balance on the VAT current account will automatically transfer to the VAT provision account. Last chance to request reimbursement of the full historic VAT credit (which is on the current account) will thus be via the VAT return of March 2026/Q1 2026. 

Where at least one VAT return is still outstanding on 30 April 2026, the taxpayer will be given several weeks to file the missing return(s). Thereafter, it will be assessed whether the VAT credit can be refunded to the bank account or must be applied against an outstanding debt.

The refundable credit via the periodic return will be limited to the amount in box 72 of the relevant VAT return. However, as from May 1, 2026, the full (historic and not yet requested back) available VAT credit can be requested via MyMinfin. Taxpayers will also be able to easily consult and manage their financial situation via MyMinfin. 

Account numbers

The new account numbers ‘BE41 6792 0036 4210’ will come into effect as from 1 May 2026. 

Abolition of the summer regime

The summer regime, which allows taxpayers to file the June VAT return, the Q3 VAT return, and the July VAT return until the 10th of the month following the normal deadline, will be abolished.

For 2026, as a transitional measure, no penalty for late filing will be imposed when the return is filed within the deadline of the old summer regime (i.e. 10th of 2nd month following the compliance period).

Background

On 1 January 2025, the law on the modernisation of the VAT chain and the collection of fiscal and non-fiscal claims within the Federal Public Service Finance entered into force (Dutch | French).

The following measures are already applicable since 1 January 2025:

• Extension of the filing and payment deadlines for quarterly filers

• Abolition of the possibility to file an amending periodic VAT return after the statutory filing deadline

• Introduction of a shorter response period for requests for information

• Introduction of the proposal for a substitute return in the event of non-filing of a periodic VAT return

• Adjusted penalties

• Adjusted rules for VAT refunds

• Accelerated monthly refund procedure for every monthly filer

For more information on this VAT reform, we refer to our previously issued tax alerts  (‘VAT Chain : Circular letter updates previously announced changes’, ‘Royal Decree implementing the VAT chain published’, ‘Draft bill aimed at modernising the Belgian VAT chain introduced in the Chamber of Representatives’). 

Impact

With the almost final implementation of the VAT chain, taxpayers and the service providers supporting them should make sure that their (internal) bookkeeping processes and systems are in line with the new VAT chain requirements. 

The upcoming key dates will be 30 April 2026 and 1 May 2026. To have an automatic transfer to the VAT provision account, all periodic VAT returns should be submitted on time. 

The next modernisation could be the payment via direct debit. Further details will be published shortly.