social security - FOD Sociale Zekerheid

B. Alternative financingBesides the classical mode of financing the social security, there is also an alternative financing.The aim is dual: limit government subsidies and reduce employers' contributions. Instead oftaxing labour, the government seeks alternative means to finance the whole of social security.Alternative financing consists partly of a percentage of VAT revenue. In 2010, 9,904,589,670EUR of total VAT revenue was transferred to the social security scheme for salaried persons,864,970,808 EUR to the social security scheme for self-employed persons and 1,624,228,000EUR to the health insurance scheme. In addition, an amount of 1,617,679,250 EUR from other taxreceipts, such as excise duties and personal and corporate income taxes, was transferred to socialsecurity as alternative financing.C. Self-employed personsThe self-employed pay their quarterly social security contribution to the social insurancefund they are affiliated with. The contribution is calculated on the self-employed person's netprofessional labour income in the third calendar year ('reference year') preceding the year forwhich the contribution is due. These were the amounts in 2011 (income of 2008):Professional income per bracketAmount of the contributionUp to 12,129.76 €667.14 € per quarterBetween 12,129.76 € and 52,378.55 €22% of net professional incomeBetween 52,378.55 € and 77,189.40 €14.16% of net professional incomeMore than 77,189.40 € 0 €The above-mentioned amounts concern the general category of the self-employed persons (mainactivity).Starting self-employed persons who do not have a 'reference year' shall pay contributions on aprovisional basis.Persons who have a self-employed additional job next to their principal occupation (e.g. as asalaried person) and retired people who still have a professional activity pay no contributions oronly a reduced contribution as long as their annual income does not exceed a particular amountestablished every year.14