“The law provides that this treatment is subject to tax as self-employed income.“, he recalls. It would therefore be logical that he could be considered as an independent, believes his lawyer. The latter adds that Prince Laurent meets the conditions of the status in any case: being a natural person, having a goal profit, the habitual nature of the activity, etc.
“To say that he doesn’t work is surreal!“, further pleads Mr. Rijckaert, referring to the obligation to represent the monarchy when requested. “On average, there are 93 events per year, or two to three performances per week from north to south and from east to west of Belgium. All this with the preceding preparation work“, he raises. “100,000 euros gross per year, less deductions, that’s around 60,000 euros taxable per year, the equivalent of a senior executive. It’s not millions either. He must take out private social insurance but he should not have to finance his own social security coverage. There is social security for everyone“, declares Olivier Rijckaert.
“A privilege”
For Inasti lawyers, this royal endowment does not constitute self-employed income within the framework of a service. “It is because he is a member of the royal family that the prince is entitled to this endowment, it is not professional income, it is a privilege“, says one of them. “If he were truly independent, perhaps he should charge the state“, he believes. The Inasti council adds that there is no pension planned for Prince Laurent since his endowment is granted to him for life. “Contrary to what he claims, he has access to health care and certain social benefits, such as family allowances. There are others from which it is excluded, such as bridging law for example. It makes sense. During the covid period, the amount of his endowment has not changed, he is not subject to the same hazards as a true independent“, mentions among other arguments the lawyer.
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The labor auditor must still deliver his opinion in writing within two months. The 11th chamber of the Brussels labor court will therefore only decide on the question on April 7.
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