From the end of next month, citizens will be able to contact the person handling their tax file directly, announced Finance Minister Jan Jambon (N-VA) on Tuesday.
The government agreement indicates that Arizona is working on a charter aimed at "restoring relations between taxpayers and the tax authorities." For example, the automatic 10% tax increase penalty for a first-time error will no longer apply, and the claims procedure will also be simplified.
Speaking during the presentation of his general policy note to the Chamber, Minister Jambon stated that work is ongoing to ensure "the right to direct and personal contact between taxpayers and the tax administration." This service will be available from the end of next month.
In practice, citizens will receive a direct phone code to reach the agent managing their file, rather than a general help desk. If the agent is unavailable, the secretariat will answer the call.
The rollout of this initiative will occur in stages. By the end of this month, it will be possible to address corporate tax queries, and by the end of April, queries related to VAT and withholding tax. Personal income tax (PIT) will follow.
"This way, we effectively restore direct contact between taxpayers and the tax administration. The lack of this possibility has caused significant frustration among citizens, entrepreneurs, and their tax advisers," stated Jambon’s office. "This also aligns with the general philosophy that the tax authorities should act more as a partner to citizens."
