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Tax Question for U.S. Retiree

Last activity 27 October 2014 by steve_sanchez

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steve_sanchez

Hello all! I've been searching for days and I'm unable to find an answer to my question. I am a U.S. retiree who receives a pension (not social security) from my work in the U.S.

I'm hoping to move with my wife from the U.S. to Belgium so that we can travel around Europe, and stay in Belgium as our home base. When researching if I will be taxed on my pension,  I am finding information about working in Belgium and how the taxes work if I'm working there, I'm unable to find any easy to understand information on simply retiring for a few years and living in Belgium, how my pension would be addressed by the Belgium government. Will I be taxed on this money?

Thanks so much for any advice or guidance!

pamelascot

There seems to be lots of info on the internet on the subject.  I copied this: 

Double Taxation
Double tax treaties exist that may provide tax relief where a Belgian tax resident also pays income tax in another country.

Tax Treatment of Expatriates Assigned to Belgium
Expatriates may qualify for a special tax regime. If expatriate status is granted by the tax authorities, the person is considered as a non-resident of Belgium for tax purposes.

In addition, an expatriate may receive the following allowances free of income tax, capped at €11,250 (managers) or exceptionally at €29,750 (scientists):

Cost of living (limited to €2,500)
Cost of housing
Tax equalisation
School fees (uncapped)
Since the qualifying expatriate is treated as a non-resident, his foreign-sourced income is not taxed in Belgium. Earned income connected to an activity that is carried out outside Belgium is therefore not taxed (this is the travel exclusion).

steve_sanchez

Thanks for the post Pamela. I have also seen similar info on the Internet, however have not found anything that specifically recovers a retirement pension.

As you indicate above the tax treaties cover double taxation on "income" or earnings but I've yet to find any info on retirement income.

Thanks for the post!

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