2023-12-18 17:29:00
In the Brussels Region, the PS-Écolo-Défi majority, like Les Engagés, positioned themselves favorably. The MR abstained. In the Walloon Region, the MR-PS-Écolo majority rejected the proposed motion. This is what also happened in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.
The reform of the taxation of non-profit organizations will cost Catholic schools dearly
“On the broadest shoulders”
The Federal Minister of Finance’s plan consists of replacing the fixed-rate property tax (0.17%) on real estate and financial assets with a progressive tax (0% below 50,000 euros, 0.15% from 50,000 to 250,000 euros, 0.30% from 250,000 to 500,000 euros and 0.45% beyond).
The change therefore risks weighing heavily on the most important associations, including in Catholic education whose organizing powers are constituted as non-profit organizations. “Normal, to place the effort on the broadest shoulders,” said the majority deputies. “It’s unfair when these non-profit organizations need these funds to fulfill essential functions,” retorted André Antoine (Les Engagés). Especially when, like free schools, they had to aggregate their assets to benefit from European funds for building renovation!”
The proposed motion was rejected by nine votes to two (Les Engagés and PTB).
Concretely, a series of sectors are already exempt from the new tax. Some are also mentioned in amendments currently being examined by the Council of State. “But there are others, added André Antoine, such as animal shelters, tourism or sports infrastructures.” In addition, buildings used exclusively for teaching activities also benefit from an exemption, specifies Minister Van Peteghem’s text at this stage.
The federal majority hopes to return its text to the House this week. It is there that these discussions must take place, said the French-speaking majority, thus closing the debate.
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