On\u00a011 December 2025, the Belgian Parliament approved several important amendments to the reformed investment deduction.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The core elements of the reform are:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n Investments for which regional aid has been requested are no longer excluded from the thematic deduction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, the possibility of combining different support measures must be assessed from all angles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For example: in Flanders, GREEN investment aid<\/strong> and the Ecology Premium+<\/strong> may not be combined with other support measures, including the investment deduction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Therefore, always verify the conditions attached to regional subsidies before submitting an application or combining aid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The annual caps on carry-forward deductions have been abolished, allowing for better\u00a0utilisation\u00a0of the benefit for large investments.\u00a0 It is still unclear whether this was a deliberate policy choice (to avoid rapid cash refunds) or a technical oversight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Impact for SMEs and choice between deductions<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Due to the unlimited carry-forward of the basic deduction<\/strong>, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have less need to opt for the technology deduction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Nevertheless, the technology deduction remains attractive because of: <\/p>\n\n\n A thorough comparison between the different deduction regimes therefore\u00a0remains\u00a0essential.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thematic deduction \u2013 a temporary but attractive benefit\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The thematic deduction\u00a0provides for\u00a0an increased rate of\u00a040% for all companies as from A.Y. 2027<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, this advantage is\u00a0temporary: the investment lists are valid until\u00a031 December 2027<\/strong>, with\u00a0a possible extension\u00a0of two years by the government.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Without an extension, the benefit will disappear after that date.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some companies with a\u00a0broken\u00a0financial year<\/strong>\u00a0may therefore only\u00a0benefit\u00a0from the increased rate to a limited extent.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Example: a company with\u00a0a financial year\u00a0running from\u00a01 October to 30 September<\/strong>\u00a0can only\u00a0benefit\u00a0from the 40% rate for\u00a015 months<\/strong>\u00a0(between\u00a01 October 2026 and 31 December 2027<\/strong>).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n To make\u00a0optimal\u00a0use of the new rules, companies are advised to:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n u003cliu003eu003cstrongu003eCumul\u00a0with regional aid no longer prohibitedu003c\/strongu003e\u00a0(insofar as\u00a0the regional aid itself may be combined);\u00a0u003c\/liu003eu003cliu003eu003cstrongu003eAbolition of caps on carry-forward deductionsu003c\/strongu003e;\u00a0u003c\/liu003eu003cliu003eu003cstrongu003eBasic deduction can be carried forward indefinitely in timeu003c\/strongu003e;\u00a0u003c\/liu003eu003cliu003eu003cstrongu003eThematic deduction of 40% for all companies as from A.Y. 2027u003c\/strongu003e.\u00a0u003c\/liu003e <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n
Cumul\u00a0with regional aid allowed \u2013 but\u00a0cumul\u00a0works both ways\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Abolition of caps \u2013 greater fiscal flexibility\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
For the\u00a0R&D tax credit<\/strong>\u00a0(under the same conditions as the technology deduction), these caps\u00a0remain\u00a0in place<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n u003cliu003eThe possibility of\u00a0u003cstrongu003espread application (20.5%)u003c\/strongu003e;\u00a0u003c\/liu003eu003cliu003eThe\u00a0option\u00a0to\u00a0u003cstrongu003econvert it into a refundable Ru0026amp;D tax creditu003c\/strongu003e.\u00a0u003c\/liu003e <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n
Strategic recommendations\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n u003cliu003ePlan investments\u00a0in a timely manner\u00a0in line with the temporary lists;\u00a0u003c\/liu003eu003cliu003eCarefully verify the possibility of cumulation with regional aid;\u00a0u003c\/liu003eu003cliu003eCompare fiscal scenarios (technology, Ru0026amp;D or thematic deduction);\u00a0u003c\/liu003eu003cliu003eAnticipate\u00a0a possible extension\u00a0of the measure.\u00a0u003c\/liu003e <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n
Key benefits\u00a0briefly\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n