On December 18th, the government of Flanders approved amendments to the treaties aimed at avoiding double taxation between Belgium on one hand and Mexico, Poland, Spain, Great Britain and Northern Ireland on the other hand. A new double taxation treaty with Uruguay was also approved. Double taxation treaties are treaties in which states agree on how to coordinate collecting their taxes. The main objective is to ensure that the same tax matter is not charged twice.
These are so-called "mixed treaties". In addition to federal taxes, the regional authorities’ current and future taxes fall within the scope of those treaties. Examples are property tax, levying surcharges and tax abatements that Flanders can allow.
The Government of Flanders has approved these treaties. The drafts of the assent act will now be submitted for approval to the Flemish Parliament.