I. Types of Business Entities

• Branch vs Subsidiary
• Types of Subsidiaries
• Other Types of Business Entities

II. Starting a Business

• Establishing a Branch in Flanders
• Establishing a Subsidiary in Flanders
• Real Estate Issues
• Data Protection / Privacy Requirements

III. Business Incentives

• Cash Grants
• Employment and Training Incentives
• Tax-related Incentives

IV. Taxation - Corporate

• General Information
• Tax-related Incentives
• Tax Treaties
• Transfer Pricing
• European Parent Subsidiary Directive
• Branch vs Subsidiary
• Belgian Ruling System
• Belgian Coordination Centers

V. Taxation - VAT

• Who must register for VAT?
• What are the VAT Rates?
• Which VAT is deductible?
• Refund of VAT to non-registered foreign taxable persons
• VAT Return

VI. Taxation - Personal

• What are the Principles of Personal Income Taxation?
• How is Personal Income Tax calculated?
• What are the Personal Income tax Rates?
• How is Local Property Tax calculated?
• How does Belgian Tax Law treat Stock Options?
• What is the Social Security Regime for Stock Options?
• What is the Special Tax Regime for Foreign Executives working in Belgium?
• When is an Employee considered an Expatriate?
• What are the Tax Benefits of Expatriate Status?
• How is the Expatriate Tax Base calculated?
• What are the Formalities in applying for Expatriate Tax Status?

VII. Workforce Issues

• Recruiting and making an Offer of Employment
• Employment Contracts
• Wages
• Sick Pay and Leave
• Vacations
• Social Security
• Termination of Employment
• Protection for Specific Groups
• Organizations representing Employees
• Multilingual Issues
• Special Requirements for Foreign Workers

VIII. Importing and (Re)Distributing Goods

• Duties and Procedures for Imports
• Intra-community Supplies and Export of Imported Goods
• Options for Sales Operations

IX. Competition Law

• Overview
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Restrictive Practices

X. Intellectual Property

• Trademarks
• Copyright
• Patents
• Software
• Designs and Models
• Database Protection
• Trade Secrets, Confidential Information and Special Know-how

XI. Environmental Regulations

• Environmental Permits
• Obtaining Environmental Permits
• General and Sector Operating Conditions
• Building Permits
• Soil Remediations
• Packaging Waste