News article

VAT return submission tolerances abolished

The publication on its website of the 2025 VAT calendar shows that the VAT administration is keeping his word. The explanatory memorandum to the VAT Chain Modernisation Act had already announced that as a result of the extension of the filing deadline for quarterly VAT returns to the 25th of the month following the quarter, the existing tolerances on filing and payment deadlines would be abolished.

This is not just about the tolerance that no penalty is imposed in case of a late VAT return filed before the 10th of the month following the month in which it was due. The new VAT calendar now shows that both the extension to the next working day if the deadline for submission and payment is a Saturday, a Sunday or a legal holiday, and the summer tolerance are also abolished.

The tax authorities do provide for a transition period until May 1, 2025. Until then, the extension of the filing deadline to the next working day will still apply. So for the VAT return for the fourth quarter 2024, VAT payers have until 27 January 2025 to file it and pay any amount due. Monthly taxpayers have until 22 April 2025 to file and pay their VAT return for the month of March 2025.

To get refund of any VAT credit arising from the VAT return, that return must be filed by the statutory deadline. No tolerances will be allowed on this from 1 January 2025. So the VAT return for the fourth quarter 2024 must then be filed by 25 January 2025, and that for March 2025 by 20 April 2025.

Finally, don’t forget that from 1 January 2025, the penalties for late filing and payment, among others, will also be adjusted. You have been warned.

Happy X-mas holidays!