Belgian tax office hunts for Uber drivers in the Netherlands

Following yesterday’s conviction of one its drivers by a Brussels police court, private taxi firm Uber has now come under scrutiny by the Belgian tax authorities and social inspection services, who have contacted the company’s headquarters in Amsterdam, requesting information on Uber drivers based in Belgium who may be dodging paying their taxes and social security.

Last week, the state secretaries for the fight against social welfare fraud (Bart Tommelein) and tax fraud (Elke Sleurs) sent a joint letter to the Dutch State Secretary for Finance, Eric Wiebes. In the letter, the Belgian state secretaries request the Netherlands to provide all pertinent information on Uber drivers operating in Belgium.

Uber Belgium employs seven drivers and it is difficult for the Belgian tax authorities to trace their revenue as all profits made by Uber are sent directly to the Netherlands as well as drivers’ invoices. Legally, an Uber taxi driver in Belgium should declare their revenue to the Belgian tax authorities. "Uber must provide explanations," stated Elke Sleurs office.