Belgians increasingly suspicious of tax fraud

An increasing number of Belgians suspect their neighbours of tax evasion, as evidenced by the fraud cases reported to the Federal Public Service Finance. In five years, the number of reports increased from 510 to 2,610 complaints in 2013. This year, already more than 2,000 new complaints have been filed.

"The number of reports continues to rise each year," said Secretary of State for the Fight against Tax Fraud Elke Sleurs (N-VA). "Either people are more aware of the ability to report suspected fraud, or they are more on the lookout for suspicious activity."

So far this year, more than 2,000 Belgians have reported their neighbours to the tax authorities for suspected fraud. The increase is spectacular, Sleurs tells Het Nieuwsblad. "In many cases, people tell on their neighbours because they suddenly have a nice car or go on trips more often," she explains. "We might be dealing with envy to a large extent, but in any case it is important that we stay alert for possible cases of tax fraud."