Staffing company Randstad is contesting tax claims exceeding 72 million euros in Belgium. The Belgian tax authority has accused the company of fiscal abuse due to an extremely favorable deal with the Swiss tax authorities.
The Belgian tax authority had imposed multiple claims on Randstad’s companies there due to profit shifting. A spokesperson for the Dutch staffing group stated that Randstad is appealing a court ruling in which the Belgian tax authority was supported.
According to De Tijd, the Special Tax Inspection (BBI) is accusing Randstad of fiscal abuse. The BBI alleges that Randstad companies are paying only 1.87 percent tax on the interest that the companies divert from Belgium to Switzerland, thanks to an exceptionally favorable deal with the Swiss tax authorities. In Belgium, the Randstad companies do not pay tax on these amounts since they are already taxed in Switzerland. Reportedly, a significant portion of the more than 72 million euros has already been paid by the companies.
A spokesperson for Randstad responded by disputing the inspection’s findings.
“Randstad fully complies with matters related to its tax obligations in its international markets and cooperates with local audits,” he stated. He also mentioned that the staffing conglomerate has shared all relevant information with local authorities.
