If you granted a favourable loan in 2025, it is important to inform your Client Advisor as soon as possible via myHR@securex.be.
How does the tax authority view an interest-free loan?
When you provide an employee with an interest-free loan or a loan at a low interest rate (below the market rate), you are effectively giving them a benefit. This benefit is classified as a taxable benefit in kind. The loan is offered on favourable terms solely because the individual is your employee. Therefore, you must include this benefit in the employee's or manager's salary each month and also withhold advance tax on it.
What is the amount of the benefit?
To determine this, you need to compare the interest rate you charge your employee or manager with a standard reference interest rate. The difference between the two monthly interest amounts is the monthly benefit in kind. No deductions for dependents are considered.
The reference interest rate is set annually by a royal decree and varies depending on the type of loan, such as mortgage or non-mortgage.
View the reference interest rates published on February 17, 2026. Note that these rates apply to loans granted in 2025. The percentages for 2026 will only be announced at the beginning of 2027.
What about social security contributions?
Similar to tax matters, an interest-free loan or a loan with a reduced interest rate is regarded as a benefit in kind. This benefit is also subject to social security contributions (RSZ) and must be estimated as accurately as possible at its actual value.
To calculate that actual value, the RSZ uses a different method than the tax flat rate. It considers the difference between the interest you charge your employee and the interest your employee would pay at the bank. You may contact your bank for more information or a quote. The difference between the two is the benefit on which RSZ contributions must be paid.
An interest-free loan is not the same as an advance on salary
For manual workers, the law requires you as an employer to pay the salary at least twice a month, with a maximum interval of 16 days. Therefore, an advance must always be paid to manual workers, and this advance should roughly match the due net salary.
The second payment is then the final salary payment for the month.
This advance for manual workers, which is mandated by law, is not an interest-free loan. Therefore, no benefit in kind needs to be calculated.
Read more about this in our theme on remuneration
What does Securex do for you?
Did you grant a favourable loan in 2025?
If so, the 2025 tax forms for the involved employee or manager must be corrected based on the final reference interest rates announced in February 2026.
Please provide the following information to your Securex Client Advisor as soon as possible via myHR@securex.be:
- The existence of the loan
- The fiscal and social value of the loan
Are you granting a favourable loan in 2026?
The reference interest rates for loans granted in 2026 will only be announced at the beginning of 2027. For now, you must rely on the last known percentages to determine the amount of the advance tax.
At the beginning of 2027, when the correct percentages for 2026 are known, a correction of the taxable base must then occur for the beneficiaries of an interest-free loan.