Innovation deduction and subsidies
As an innovation incentive for companies, the Belgian government has introduced the innovation deduction. In certain regions, SMEs can also apply for patent subsidies and grants.
Innovation deduction
Companies holding Belgian patents can use the innovation deduction to exempt up to 85% of the profits from their own innovations from corporation tax. This means a significantly lower tax burden for innovative companies in Belgium. We map your innovations so that you can maximise your tax benefit.
Region-based subsidies
In addition to the innovation deduction, various subsidies and support measures at European, federal and regional level exist to reduce the costs associated with intellectual property.
Europe and Belgium
One of the most important subsidies is the patent voucher, which can be requested through the SME fund. This allows companies to recover part of their application costs.
For patents, the reimbursement can reach up to 75% of the costs incurred before the patent is granted, as well as the filing fees and the costs of the related search procedures for European patents.
Flanders
At Flemish level, SMEs can apply for a subsidy through the SME e-wallet for certain training courses related to intellectual property, up to a maximum of €7,500 per year.
In addition, VLAIO also provides various innovation subsidies to companies related to research into innovations and the associated intellectual property rights.
Wallonia
Various innovation and intellectual property support measures exist in Wallonia. Programmes such as Win4Expertise-Brevets help cover the costs of patent applications, often providing a subsidy of around 15% to 50% of the fees charged by a recognised patent attorney.
Through the Chèque Propriété Intellectuelle (Chèque PI), you can receive up to 50% subsidy for IP analyses such as patentability and freedom-to‑operate searches.
Brussels-Capital region
Regional support through Innoviris: up to 50% reimbursement of the patent procedure and filing fees for Brussels‑based SMEs. The application must be submitted before the patent application is filed.
Unlock financial value from your intellectual property
We map your innovations so that you can maximise your tax benefit.
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Clear answers to every IP question
Why is an IP strategy important?
The right IP protection strengthens your market position. It grants exclusive rights to commercialise your invention, trademark or design and creates a substantial competitive advantage. Your intellectual property is also an intangible asset on your balance sheet and therefore an added value to your company. In addition, IP can offer financial benefits through the patent deduction for inventions. Small-sized companies can use patents to boost their competitiveness. Larger companies often manage broader IP portfolios, making it essential to monitor each individual IP asset while maintaining a clear overall view.
What does the innovation deduction or patent deduction involve?
The innovation deduction allows a company to deduct up to 85% of its net innovation income from its taxable corporation tax base. The revenue to be considered includes licence fees, such as royalties, revenue from the sale of patent rights and any damages received. The related R&D expenses incurred in the year in which the revenue was generated as well as the historical R&D expenses linked to the intellectual property right need to be deducted from this revenue. The historical costs may be spread over a period of up to seven fiscal years. To give you a clear view of the optimal application of the innovation deduction, we map your intellectual property portfolio in detail. If you want, we involve tax specialists to support you in applying the innovation deduction.