Photo, Olivier Van Baelen

Olivier Van Baelen

Counsel
Baker McKenzie BV/SRL

Biography

Olivier Van Baelen is a counsel in the Tax Practice Group in Baker McKenzie's Brussels office.

Olivier supervises the Belgium's VAT practice. He joined Baker McKenzie in 2017 after several years of experience in a Big 4 and as a tax lawyer in a leading Belgian taxation law firm. He advises clients on all kinds of (indirect) tax issues and represents clients in every stage of (indirect) tax disputes. He works closely with our EU VAT group, transfer pricing, customs and trade practices teams to provide comprehensive advice on the most challenging (cross-border) transactions and controversies.

Practice Focus

Olivier has over 15 years of extensive experience in controversy and advisory work, particularly in VAT and customs.

Olivier advises clients on all kinds of indirect tax issues and represents clients at every stage of indirect tax disputes (e.g., assistance during tax audits, filing tax complaints and representation before the courts). He also has extensive experience in customs/TP valuation ruling applications.

In addition to his practice, he has contributed articles on indirect taxation and has participated in various tax seminars.

Representative Legal Matters

  • Defended a US multinational before the EU General Court of Justice on the determination of non-preferential rules of origin.
  • Defended a leading US travel-commerce platform in a VAT litigation before the Court of Appeal (Brussels) on the application of VAT fixed establishment rules.
  • Assisted several multinationals with multiple due diligence and acquisition structuring projects.
  • Assisted several multinationals in customs valuation/transfer pricing ruling requests.
  • Assisted a leading net lease REIT in the indirect tax aspects of numerous real estate acquisitions in Belgium.
  • Assisted with multiple due diligence and acquisition structuring projects.
  • Assisted several leading sports-betting companies as well as companies in the healthcare, real estate, financial and insurance sector with VAT-related issues.

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • International Fiscal Association (IFA), Belgian branch - Member
  • Belgian Association for Tax Lawyers - Member

Admissions

  • Brussels~Belgium (2011)

Education

  • Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Post Graduate Degree in Tax) (2004)
  • Université Catholique de Louvain (Master in Law) (2003)
  • University of Ottawa (Exchange Program) (2003)
  • Facultés Universitaires Saint-Louis (Bachelor in Law) (2000)

Languages

  • Dutch
  • English
  • French
  • Co-author “European Union: Real-time digital reporting based on e-invoicing under EU VAT”, Baker McKenzie, InsightPlus, 25 May 2023
  • Co-author, "European Union: CJEU issues judgment on tax authorities' right to question input VAT deductions", Baker McKenzie, InsightPlus, 27 Feb 2023
  • Co-author, "EU: European Court of Justice clarifies concept of related persons for customs purposes", Baker McKenzie, Import and Trade, 1 July 2022
  • Speaker, "Belgium: Ahead of Tax - Where Direct and Indirect Tax interplay", Baker McKenzie, InsightPlus, 25 October 2022
  • Co-author, "European Union: The EU approach on the concept of VAT FE, in particular through a subsidiary", Baker McKenzie, InsightPlus, 21 Apr 2022
  • Co-author, "FAQ and Reporting Forms Published by the Tax Authorities to Implement and Clarify the DAC 7 "light" Reporting Obligation(s)," Baker McKenzie InsightPlus, 21 January 2022