When you buy a major asset (like a building, machine, or computer), you can’t deduct the full cost in one go. Since you’ll use it for several years, the cost has to be spread over time, this is called depreciation.
In short: each year, you will deduct part of the purchase price from your taxable income.
✅ The part of the building used for professional purposes:
If you buy a property and use it for work, only the business-related portion can be depreciated. For example, if your home office takes up 25% of your house’s surface, you can only depreciate 25% of the building.
❌ The land :
Land doesn’t wear out, so it can’t be depreciated. Only the building itself is depreciable.
When you buy real estate, the price usually includes both the land and the building. Since only the building can be depreciated, you need to split the total cost between the two.
There’s no strict legal rule in Belgium, but here are some tips:
🧮 Make a reasonable and objective estimate. You can hire a surveyor (géomètre-expert) to determine the value of the land and the building separately.
📝 Include this breakdown in the deed of sale. It will strengthen your case if the tax authorities ever question your depreciation.
📉 The lower the land value, the more you can depreciate. But be careful, if the land is valued unrealistically low, it could raise red flags during an audit.
Yes, they can. They might suggest a different allocation, usually assigning a higher value to the land (which would then reduce your depreciation). But they can’t just compare your land to a vacant plot, a built-on plot usually has a lower standalone value.
That’s why having an expert report is useful: it shows that your numbers are fair and accurate.
✅ You can depreciate the professional portion of the building |
❌ You cannot depreciate the land |
🌍 You are responsible for allocating the purchase price between land and building |
👨💼 A professional valuation can help justify your depreciation if needed |
For example, let’s say you made a purchase for €200,000:
💶 Land value: €60,000
🏠 Building value: €140,000
1. Create a new expense by clicking on “Upload a new expense”.
2. Click on 📁 "Select a file or a folder"
3. Import your supporting documents (the deed of sale or the notary's invoice).
📜 It is essential that the notarial deed or purchase documents clearly specify the price breakdown between the land value and the building value.
4. Select the category 🏷️ "Land and construction", then choose:
🟩 "Land" for the land portion (not depreciable)
✍️ Fill in all the relevant information and amounts related to the land.
5. Then add an item by clicking on ➕ "Add an item"
6. Select the category 🏗️ "Built land" for the building value (with linear depreciation, generally over 20 to 33 years, depending on the type of construction).
✍️ Fill in all the relevant information and amounts related to the building.
7. Make sure to indicate the correct percentage of professional use
📊 This determines how much of the expense is deductible.
8. Click on 💾 "Save"
⚠️ Reminder: |
Need help managing depreciation or your taxes? Contact us !
Author - Valesca Wilms
As content marketing lead at Accountable Belgium, Valesca writes about freelancing, self-employment, and taxes based on her own experience as a freelancer.
Who is Valesca ?Thank you for your feedback!
Useful
As a self-employed individual with a sole proprietorship, your income is taxed under the personal in...
Read moreStarting from 2026, all self-employed individuals will need to send their invoices electronically in...
Read moreThe VAT reverse charge is a complicated word for a simple concept. It helps you purchase and sell sm...
Read moreThey always answer right away to any question I have, they provide clear answers, and they are very patient even when I struggle to understand. They try to explain in different ways. They are very helpful, responsive and friendly.
Chiara Marradi
01/05/2026
Everything was great! All my questions were answered quickly and in a friendly manner.
Wenzeslawa Wegener
04/05/2026
In the world where everyone seems to be out to get small entrepreneurs and overwhelm them with new rules, more taxes and reporting obligations, Accountable often feels like the one steady partner that actually wants you to succeed, providing quick, clear and personalised support. Thank you!
Janina Arsenjeva
10/04/2026
This is an amazing application with great support on issues. In short as in day I am addicted to it (in a positive way). I myself is from IT project management and the way they have captured the user requirement, it’s phenomenal.
Sumit Tewary
01/12/2024
UI is great. Feature packed and very easy to use. The team at Accountable were VERY quick to respond and their team of technicians soon had a fix in place. Very happy with the level of service so far. Thumbs up from me!
Dean Osborne
14/06/2023
This program is a lifesaver, and it is always improving. Plus, it has an AI chat feature that is actually useful.
Jeffrey Humble
14/01/2026
The coaching session on tax management was excellent, good material, excellent explanations and very insightful. Combined with the AI I never feel alone with Accountable.
Sergio Barbarino
23/04/2026
The availability of your team to help and guide people to understand their finances better is what really makes Accountable valuable. While the AI is able to give answers to most basic questions, specific scenarios need counsel from a human which your team performs beautifully.
Sofiya Bogdan Neves
18/04/2026
Fast and careful answers from Alina. Top service. Thank you.
Anonymous
15/04/2023
They always answer for questions wherever is via direct e-mail or through app. If they can’t answer fully they will forward you to the right place. Documents were always prepared well and ready to send further to government. Everything is intuitive in the app and easy to sort out even for someone completely green in this field.
Anonymous
22/03/2026
