Belgium has published notice in the Official Gazette that sets out the investment allowance rates for the 2021 assessment year (2020 tax year). The following summarizes the applicable allowance rates for specific investment types made by companies:

For companies in general:

• 13.5% for investments in patents, environmentally friendly R&D, and energy saving and air ventilation or purification systems in hotels, restaurants, and bars (20% for investments made from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2019); and
• 3% for investments encouraging recycle/reuse of containers/packaging for drinks and industrial products.

For qualifying small companies:

• 13.5% for digital investments (20% for investments made from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2019);
• 20.5% for investments in security;
• 8% for other investments (20% for investments made from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2019); and

For companies exclusively engaged in maritime shipping:

• 30% for investment in seagoing vessels (ships).

Note - claims for the 20% allowance rates are subject to certain conditions, including that the notional interest deduction cannot be claimed.

Note - The general conditions to qualify as a small company include that no more than one of the following is exceeded: 50 employees; EUR 9 million annual turnover; and EUR 4.5 million balance sheet total.