Self-employed accountant in Belgium: pension, ITAA, tax

What does a self-employed accountant typically earn?

The net annual income of a self-employed accountant or chartered accountant in Belgium depends on the number of clients handled, the specialism (VAT, international tax, consolidation) and the way they practise. An accountant early in their career earns around €35,000-50,000; an established chartered accountant between €60,000 and €100,000; an established practice with staff between €120,000 and €250,000+.

Compared with other liberal professions, accountants generally have a more predictable path (a portfolio of recurring clients), which makes tax planning and the decision to move to an SRL/BV easier.

ITAA institute: fees and obligations

Since the IEC and IPCF merged in 2020, the ITAA (Institute for Tax Advisors and Accountants) has been the single professional body for accountants and tax advisers in Belgium. Typical annual fee: €800-1,400 for a certified chartered accountant, €600-900 for a certified accountant. All fees are deductible for personal income tax (IPP/PB) or corporate income tax.

ITAA obligations include: continuing education (~40 hours a year, 5 of them devoted to anti-money laundering), compulsory professional liability insurance (at least €1.25M), compliance with ISA standards for audit engagements, UBO declaration, quality standards. Any breach can lead to disciplinary action and loss of the title.

Pension: PLCI/VAPZ first, then an IPC through an SRL/BV

Accountants get no NIHDI (INAMI/RIZIV) benefit. Their pension rests on: the capped NISSE (INASTI/RSVZ) statutory pension (~€16,000 a year for a high earner), the standard PLCI/VAPZ (free supplementary pension for the self-employed, ~€4,086 in 2026), an IPC through a company under the 80% rule, and standard pension savings.

Many accountants under-use the IPC out of habit of relying on the PLCI/VAPZ alone, a typical pension shortfall of €200-400k over 30 years for income above €100k. See the IPC guide and the 80% rule.

Accountancy SRL/BV: why and when?

For an accountant, an SRL/BV becomes worthwhile from €70,000-90,000 of net annual income, often earlier than for other professions because running a company is second nature in this line of work. Benefits:

• 20% corporate income tax (SME rate, subject to conditions including director's remuneration ≥ €50,000) or 25%, vs a 50% marginal personal income tax rate.
• IPC under the 80% rule: up to €20-30k a year of premium deductible for corporate income tax.
• Liquidation reserve at an effective 18% after 3 years (vs 30% for a standard dividend).
• ITAA professional company: the SRL/BV must be majority-owned by certified accountants (ITAA rules).

See the SRL/BV guide and the dividends guide.

Professional liability insurance and cyber risk

Professional liability insurance is compulsory for every ITAA member. Minimum cover €1.25M per claim, to be increased depending on your client portfolio (aim for €2.5-5M for a practice with sizeable SRL/BV or non-profit (ASBL/VZW) clients). Additional cyber cover (data theft, ransomware, CEO fraud) has become critical with the move to paperless files.

2026 action plan for an accountant

1. Max out the standard PLCI/VAPZ up to the ceiling (~€4,086 in 2026), see the PLCI/VAPZ guide.
2. Check your professional liability insurance (≥ €1.25M + cyber cover).
3. If your income is above €70,000-90,000, move to an SRL/BV with an IPC (80% rule), see the SRL/BV guide.
4. Use the liquidation reserve on profit after corporate income tax, see the dividends guide.
5. Check the SME conditions (director's remuneration ≥ €50,000) to qualify for 20% corporate income tax.