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How to do your VAT registration

When you are buying services from abroad (e.g. Uber which is based in the Netherlands) or providing services to companies in other EU countries, such as Uber, you may need a VAT registration.

If you’re new to VAT, this page walks you through the basics of your registration process. Expect the registration to take 1 to 3 weeks.

Consult a tax advisor for more details on criteria and requirements that apply to you.

Read in French or Dutch.

What your registration entails

VAT collected from providing services

If you are regarded as liable for payment of VAT, the VAT you collect from providing (transport) services of passengers is payable to the Tax Authority via your VAT return.

VAT on business expenses

Besides collecting VAT, VAT can also be charged to you by several parties. For example on business expenses such as petrol (the VAT is partially deductible up to a maximum of 50%). When you are VAT registered, you may be able to deduct this from your collected VAT.

Criteria and Requirements

If you are going to provide transport services in Belgium via the Uber platform, we recommend that you register with the VAT administration under the exemption scheme for small businesses (this scheme applies as long as your annual turnover (excluding VAT) does not exceed 25,000 euros. (Registration is performed by submitting Form 604A; among other things, you should tick Box III, B). If you receive a licensing invoice (for use of the platform) from Uber Netherlands, you must pay Belgian VAT on this (via a special VAT return (see below); if applicable, you should also tick Box III, F in Form 604A). If you wish to be subject to the normal VAT scheme (with submission of periodic VAT returns), you can also opt for a normal VAT registration (tick Box III, A in Form 604A). More on this will follow later.

To get VAT registered, incorporating a company is not per se required. You can also get a VAT registration as a self-employed individual. If you do wish to register a company, just scroll down to the FAQ section for information on how to do so.

To get a VAT registration, you should electronically submit form 604A.

We strongly recommend you speak with a tax professional. Here are a few suggestions:

VIES only registration

For small businesses

As mentioned above, with a turnover of less than 25.000 EUR, you can apply for a VIES only registration for small businesses. More information on this small business regime can be found here.

Under the VIES only registration you:

  • do not charge VAT on your services
  • do not reclaim VAT on your purchases
  • do declare and pay VAT on your purchases of services from abroad
  • do declare (only in a EC Sales Listing) the sales you make to other companies in the EU.

Under this type of registration, filing a VAT return happens by submitting form 629. More information on this kind of VAT return can be found here.

Your Uber profile

Uber Profile - VIES only registration

Be sure to provide us with a valid VAT-number (by adding it to your Tax Profile / Invoice Settings page) and to update your tax profile in the Uber App. Select the “Small Business Regime” option.

Uber Profile - General VAT registration

Be sure to provide us with a valid VAT-number (by adding it to your Tax Profile / Invoice Settings page) and to update your tax profile in the Uber App.