It’s official: the Flemish legislation concerning duo legacies has just changed. For deaths occuring from 1 July 2021 onwards, the duo bequest no longer applies, even for wills registered before this date. The tax advantage is therefore abolished.

A “zero rate” system will be introduced for donations and legacies to good causes and the notion of “inheritance between friends” will be introduced (for a maximum sum of 15,000 euros bequeathed to a “friend”, inheritance tax will be reduced from 25% to 3%).

For the Walloon and Brussels-Capital regions, nothing changes.

Are you affected by this change? Modify your will as soon as possible.

If you live in the Flemish region and have used a duo bequest in your will, it is strongly recommended that you consult your notary before 1 July 2021. He will be able to advise you according to your situation in order to adapt your will to your wishes.

Indeed, if your will is not adapted, there is a great chance that the good cause of your choice will have to refuse the legacy because the inheritance tax will be too high. Part of your inheritance may therefore go to someone else (for example, a legal heir or another person not included in your will).

More information

You can find more information about the possibilities of bequests to a good cause here.

You can also contact our philanthropy advisor, Alexandra Goemans, directly by e-mail or by phone: a.goemans@vsf-belgium.org, 02 240 49 54. She will be happy to answer your questions in complete discretion.