The start of a new year will bring with it changes to a host of rules and regulations that affect us in our daily lives. Flandersnews.be has attempted to provide readers with a summer of what will change from midnight on Wednesday. The list could have been even longer, had the Federal Government not been late in reaching agreement on several measures intended to help reduce the budget deficit. This means that these measures won’t take effect until later next year.
A new year brings with it a host of changes to the rules and regulations that govern our daily lives
Published:
Probably the most fundamental change limiting the amount of time a person can continue to claim unemployment benefit. Up till now, it has been possible to claim unemployment benefit until the claimant has reached retirement age, if certain conditions are met.
In the future the maximum period during which unemployment benefit can be claimed will be 2 years. The change means that tens of thousands of long-term unemployed people will either need to find a job or lose their unemployment benefit. Those that lose their unemployment benefit will have to apply for a (much lower) social security payment from their local Social Services Board (OCMW).
In addition to this those that are currently on long-term sick leave will be pushed towards returning to the world of work. Numerous incentives will encourage those currently on long-term sick leave and their employers to find solutions to get them off sick pay and back into work.
Flexible labour market
In an effort to get more people into work and to encourage the creation of new jobs measures will take effect to make the labour market more flexible, by relaxing the rules on overtime, night work and working time.
Tax changes
Traditionally at the start of each new year there are changes to the rules governing tax. New taxes are introduced while existing taxes are lowered or raised. In Flanders, for example, inheritance tax for single people without children goes down. Meanwhile, the Federal Government has increased the upper ceiling on the amount that people that do a so-called flexi job in addition to their regular job are allowed to earn without paying tax.
Various changes in the levels of tax and subsidies will affect the construction industry.
The Federal Government is raising capital gains tax to 10% for profits made by investors when trhey sell their assets.
Those of us that give money to charity will see the percentage of our donation that is tax deductible fall.
From 1 January companies will have to send their invoices to one another via an official digital network called Peppol.
Energy transition and health
A number of changes, both at national and at regional level are linked to energy transition. Gas will become more expensive, while electricity will become cheaper. There are also measures to promote electric cars.
From January 1 we will all have to pay more out of our own pocket for some medicines. However, new innovative medicines will be reimbursed faster.
Advertising to promote unhealthy food to youngsters will be banned.