Key Tax Changes for Belgian Self-Employed in 2026
Published: · 6 min read · By Taxmo
Quick Answer
Belgian self-employed face four main changes in 2026: indexed income tax brackets (25% up to EUR 16,720, 40% to EUR 29,510, 45% to EUR 51,070, 50% above), social contribution bracket ceilings that move with inflation while the percentages stay unchanged (20.50% on the first bracket, declining to 14.16% above EUR 75,024.54), the continued phase-out of fossil-fuel company car deductibility (from 2026 only electric vehicles qualify for 100% deductibility), and mandatory structured B2B e-invoicing via Peppol from 1 January 2026, which makes PDF invoices sent by email non-compliant. The municipal surcharge typically adds 6-9% on top of income tax, depending on your gemeente.
- Income tax 2026 (aanslagjaar 2027): 25% / 40% / 45% / 50%, top rate above EUR 51,070.
- Municipal surcharge: typically 6-9% depending on your gemeente.
- Social contributions: 20.50% first bracket, 14.16% above EUR 75,024.54; ceilings indexed.
- Company cars: from 2026 only electric vehicles get 100% deductibility.
- E-invoicing: Peppol mandatory for Belgian B2B from 1 January 2026.
2026 brings several updates that affect Belgian self-employed professionals: revised income tax brackets, higher social contribution thresholds, changes to company car deductibility, and the start of the mandatory B2B e-invoicing regime via Peppol.
Income tax brackets 2026 (aanslagjaar 2027)
- 25% up to EUR 16,720
- 40% from EUR 16,720 to EUR 29,510
- 45% from EUR 29,510 to EUR 51,070
- 50% above EUR 51,070
The tax-free allowance (belastingvrije som) rises slightly with indexation. Municipal surcharge (aanvullende gemeentebelasting) typically adds 6-9% depending on your gemeente.
Social contributions (sociale bijdragen)
The minimum quarterly contribution for self-employed in main occupation continues to follow the indexation rules. The progressive percentages (20.50% on the first bracket, declining to 14.16% above EUR 75,024.54) remain unchanged in 2026 but the bracket ceilings move with inflation.
Company car deductibility
The phase-out of fossil-fuel company car deductibility continues. Hybrid cars purchased after 1 July 2023 have reduced deductibility schedules. From 2026, only electric vehicles qualify for 100% deductibility (capped at the gram-CO2 formula).
Peppol e-invoicing mandate
From 1 January 2026, structured e-invoicing via Peppol is mandatory for all B2B transactions between Belgian VAT-registered entities. PDF invoices sent by email are no longer compliant. See our Belgium e-invoicing guide.
What to do now
- Register a Peppol endpoint or use a service provider (Taxmo handles this automatically)
- Review your voorafbetalingen schedule on /voorafbetalingen
- Check your projected social contributions on /social-contributions