The new Finance Minister Jan Jambon (N-VA) has denied the existence of a separate agreement regarding the introduction of the capital gains tax.
He was responding to statements made by MR chairman Georges-Louis Bouchez, who claimed over the weekend that he has a handwritten deal with Prime Minister Bart De Wever specifying that those holding shares for ten years will not have to pay the capital gains tax.
“That’s not correct,” said Minister Jambon. “The only document is the coalition agreement, which everyone can read. The agreement is what is stated in that document.” Jambon acknowledged that many questions still need to be addressed. These questions could concern not just those holding shares for ten years, but also individuals with a significant stake of 19 percent.
Minister Jambon refrained from making further comments but mentioned that the specifics would become clear in a few months. The reform is expected to receive parliament’s approval this year. By 2029, the capital gains tax is projected to generate €500 million. “It wasn’t our primary objective, but within the overall agreement, we realised it had to be included.”
