Activate a Company's VAT Number

An essential step before invoicing your first clients

Activate a Company's VAT Number

We are J. Jordens, and activating the VAT number is one of the most anticipated steps for our clients when launching their activity: it is what allows you to legally invoice your first clients. Here is how it works in Belgium.

The link between company number and VAT number

In Belgium, your company number, obtained when registering your company, forms the basis of your VAT number. Once activated, this number becomes identical to the company number, preceded by the prefix BE. It allows your company to carry out an activity subject to VAT, both in Belgium and internationally.

The steps of activation

• Prior registration of the company, with precise definition of your activity codes (NACE codes).
• Choice of applicable VAT scheme: normal scheme, or exemption scheme for small businesses under certain turnover conditions.
• Effective activation with the tax administration, generally via an authorized business counter.
• Receipt of the active VAT number, essential for issuing your first invoices.

The tax exemption scheme: an option to consider

Certain small businesses can opt for the tax exemption scheme, which exempts them from invoicing VAT to their clients, provided they do not exceed an annual turnover threshold set by law. This scheme simplifies administrative management, but also has limitations, notably the inability to deduct VAT on your own business purchases. We help you determine whether this scheme is truly advantageous for your activity.

The intra-community VAT number

If your company is required to invoice or purchase within the European Union, your Belgian VAT number also serves as an intra-community VAT number. It must be validated in the VIES database to be recognized by your European partners, which is particularly important for import-export or international trade activities.

Timelines to anticipate

Activating the VAT number can take several business days once the complete file has been submitted. We always recommend anticipating this step, particularly if you already have commercial commitments or pending first orders, to avoid any delay in your invoicing.

Our support for activation without wasted time

Since 1948, our firm has managed all the procedures related to the formation and registration of Belgian companies, including VAT activation. We make sure your file is complete from the first submission, to avoid any unnecessary delays.

The case of mixed or partially exempt activities

Certain activities, notably in the medical, financial or education sectors, benefit from partial or total VAT exemptions depending on the exact nature of the services. If your company carries out a mixed activity, we help you determine precisely which portion of your turnover remains subject to VAT, to avoid any invoicing error from your first months of activity.

The first VAT return

Once your number is activated, you will need to comply with a schedule of periodic returns (monthly or quarterly depending on your scheme), which will determine both the payment of VAT due and any recovery of VAT on your business purchases. We help you choose the periodicity best suited to your activity as soon as your number is activated.

A well-prepared VAT activation from the formation of your company avoids any delay when invoicing your first clients, a point that is often decisive for starting your activity under good commercial conditions.

Do you need to activate your company's VAT number? Contact us, we take care of the entire process for you.