Belgium's Fiscal Outlook and Morocco's Successful Reforms
In a recent commentary, Emmanuel Degrève, the president of the Belgian Institute of Tax Advisors and Accountants, has directed attention towards Morocco's impressive tax strategies, advocating for Belgium to draw lessons from them. Degrève's insights, published on November 1st, highlight the significant growth in Moroccan tax revenues, which have shown remarkable progress since the implementation of reforms initiated in 2021. He emphasizes that Belgium's fiscal challenges stem not from a lack of taxation but from a dwindling tax base, necessitating a comprehensive reform aimed at broadening this base and establishing more predictable tax regulations.
As reported by the Moroccan General Tax Directorate (DGI), Morocco's gross tax revenues reached a staggering 294.97 billion dirhams in 2025, reflecting an impressive annual increase of 18.9%. Notably, corporate taxes alone surpassed 100 billion dirhams, while net revenues approached 270 billion dirhams after refunds and reimbursements were accounted for. These figures underline Morocco's commitment to enhancing its fiscal framework through a structured approach that has yielded substantial results.
Lessons Learned and Future Directions
Degrève finds the trajectory of Morocco's tax reforms particularly enlightening. The country established a comprehensive framework in 2021 aimed at expanding its tax base, gradually aligning certain tax rates, and incorporating a larger segment of informal economic activities into the tax system. Following this, reforms in corporate tax and income tax were initiated alongside the digitization of tax procedures and the integration of data analytics to bolster tax compliance.
In stark contrast, Belgium is currently facing a different fiscal scenario. The National Bank of Belgium forecasts a modest growth of just 0.6% in 2026, alongside a public deficit projected to reach 5.7% of GDP by 2028, with national debt looming near 115% of GDP. According to Degrève, Belgium's response to its economic plight must go beyond merely balancing tax increases with austerity measures. Instead, he advocates for clearer, more predictable regulations, a sustained reform process, and a broader tax base before contemplating any reductions in tax rates. He also highlights electronic invoicing as a significant tool for improving tax oversight.
While acknowledging the vulnerabilities within Morocco's model—such as the heavy reliance of corporate tax revenues on a limited number of large companies and the substantial contribution of employees to income tax—Degrève asserts that the differences between the two nations should not hinder the learning process from each other’s experiences. He poignantly remarks, "The Mediterranean does not provide us a model; it holds up a mirror to our realities." This perspective encourages a collaborative and reflective approach to reform, one that could benefit both Morocco and Belgium in navigating their respective fiscal landscapes.
As reported by bladi.net.
