To begin with
The declaration has been submitted. Perhaps the accounts are free and a division has been agreed. Nevertheless, it is useful to review together once what has actually been executed.
"A promise gains meaning in three moments: preparation, execution and the reaction when something fails."
Your questions, step by step
A tax declaration after a death can feel overwhelming. We help you gather the necessary data and jointly monitor the submission deadline.
Why do I go to the notaire for this?
The declaration is for calculating inheritance tax. The office can gather data, apply fiscal rules and prepare the declaration.
The heirs remain involved in the completeness of the information.
What must I do for the inheritance tax declaration?
Record the date and place of death, family information and domiciles.
Collect assets, debts, insurances and relevant previous gifts.
Review the draft together and agree who submits on time and follows up on receipt.
How does this proceed and how long does it take?
For a declaration with the Flemish Tax Administration, the standard term is four months for death in Belgium, five months for death in another country of the European Economic Area (EEA), and six months for death outside the EEA.
Have the exact deadline confirmed. Request an extension before the deadline; an extension does not automatically prevent a tax increase.
Which documents should I provide to the notaire?
Prepare what you already have. You do not need to wait until your folder is complete to make an appointment.
Is a document missing or do you not know where to find it? Check the help for each document. We will discuss what the office can obtain for you and what you still need to provide yourself.
Where can I find this?
Write down full names and contact details. Bring your identity card to the appointment. Report foreign documents or representation; the office will tell you which additional documents are needed.
Where can I find this?
Provide the full text and any amendments. Look in your deed folder or Mijn akten. Not everything is digitally available; if necessary, indicate which office drafted the deed.
Where can I find this?
Request the document from your bank or download it from your own online banking environment. State the date and file reference. Provide statements, never passwords or access codes.
Where can I find this?
Provide the report with date and name of the appraiser. If there is no valuation yet, do not order one without consultation: first discuss what valuation is needed.
Where can I find this?
Request the policy and any payout letter from your insurer or broker. Mention the insured party, beneficiary and contract reference.
Where can I find this?
Provide the complete version with date, attachments and later amendments. Do you not have this document or do you not know if it exists? Select “Help needed” and discuss it with the office.
Where can I find this?
Provide the full text and any amendments. Look in your deed folder or Mijn akten. Not everything is digitally available; if necessary, indicate which office drafted the deed.
Where can I find this?
Provide the complete correspondence or decision with attachments. Show envelopes or proof of receipt if a deadline applies.
These check marks only remain on the opened page and are not sent to the office.
Open the checklist: ready, need help or not applicableWhat does the notaire do and investigate?
- Which region has jurisdiction and when must it be submitted?
- Which assets, debts, insurances and gifts must be declared?
- How are the assets valued?
- Which deductions or favourable schemes can be applied with proof?
We agree on which searches the office will conduct and which information you, your bank or another expert will provide.
What do I check before the next step?
When filing the declaration you primarily verify heirs, values on the date of death, debts, insurance benefits and gifts. The declaration is not a deed of distribution.
What else must I arrange afterwards?
Keep the receipt. Check the tax assessment and payment deadline.
Report newly found assets or errors immediately, so that an additional declaration or other appropriate step can be considered.
Which practical tips can help me?
Request bank balances as of the date of death, not only today’s balance. Keep funeral invoices and proof of debts separate.
What do these words mean?
- Inheritance
- the assets and debts left behind by someone.
- Tax assessment notice
- the official calculation of the tax payable.
- EEA
- the European Economic Area.
Where can I find more explanation or help?
You do not have to phrase your question in legal terms. Tell what concerns you, what you want to arrange and if an important date is approaching.
We will look together at the next step. We agree in advance on how the office will assist you and what costs are involved.
Ask your question to the officeMake an AppointmentFlemish Tax Administration: the declaration deadlineGeneral explanation for your preparation. The rules and documents that apply to you are determined based on your file.
On this page
A statement of account that you can follow
Request an overview that separates the amounts received, costs paid, distributions and remaining items. A total amount without explanation is difficult to verify. Each payment should clearly state which arrangement or obligation it is based on.
Also consider which costs may still follow. Is a bank statement final? Are we waiting on an insurer? Does a deed still need to be executed? The word 'completed' applies to a concrete list of finished tasks.
A simple example
The house has been sold, but a final statement of account from the co-ownership is still missing. Then the sale can be completed while a financial matter remains open. Record who receives that statement and how the family is informed about it.
Which documents are you keeping together?
- The filed return, the attachments and the receipt.
- The assessment notice and payment receipts.
- The certificate or deed of inheritance and any deeds of distribution.
- The statement of account and arrangements about any further actions to be taken.
- Important valuation reports and correspondence about special matters.
Practical tip. Keep definitive documents in a separate folder. Put drafts elsewhere so you do not later doubt which version applies. Ask the office how you can safely retrieve your copies.
Which practical matters still lie with the family?
Tax and notarial work does not automatically take over daily management. Check who follows up on the house, insurances, contracts and mail. For payment of invoices via the office, clear instructions and the necessary authority are required.
Make three concrete agreements rather than one general sentence such as 'we will arrange it later.' For example: who receives the letter, who requests an explanation and who provides the family with the outcome?
Something else may come to light later
An unknown bill, a later insurance payment or a new document can have consequences. Deliver the item quickly to the office and state when it came to light. Not every addition follows the same procedure; a corrective or new return may be necessary.
Have an investigation made into what the new information means. Do not wait on the assumption that the tax authorities will automatically adjust everything.
What changes for your own future?
You may now only manage the assets, have inherited a house or bear more responsibility for children. Take time to see if your own documents still fit. An existing will or mandat de protection extrajudiciaire / extrajudicial protection mandate may deserve renewed explanation.
That does not all need to happen during the settlement. You can first complete the inheritance and later arrange a separate meeting. Your own questions determine whether a next assignment is necessary.
More about succession planning ↗Frequently Asked Questions
FROM READING TO PREPARATION
Already a first answer.
What can I do if many things happen to me at once?
Start with one overview: contacts, received letters, ongoing appointments and questions. Use the topics and checklist on this page to divide the preparation. Immediately mention dated letters to the office.
Must one heir collect everything alone?
You can divide practical tasks among yourselves and keep track of who has which information. That alone does not indicate who may legally act. Discuss with the office who provides information and who should be involved in decisions.
Where can I find help with administration?
Our separate page about administration after death bundles practical information for subscriptions and services. The inheritance guide also assists you with the documents for the notaire and the progress of the declaration.
Help with subscriptions and administrationEASY PREPARATION
Your checklist: declaration of inheritance
Which documents do you prepare, where do you find them and when can the office assist? Indicate what you have and where you need support.
Useful websites on this topic
RELIABLE CONTINUED READING
FROM FIRST QUESTION TO NEXT STEP
You do not have to figure it out alone.
Getting an overview
We bring together those involved, available documents and your questions.
Understanding choices
We discuss what needs to be examined and which decisions lie ahead.
Further settlement
We agree on which formalities the office will handle and what else is required from you.
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