Limburg (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – 5 South Limburg mayors protest Belgium’s plan to close 22 tax offices by 2030, including Tongeren-Borgloon, forcing 161 staff to move to Hasselt, says Mayor Jo Feytons.
As HBVL News reported, after North Limburg, South Limburg is also protesting the closure of the regional tax office. The mayors of Tongeren-Borgloon, Wellen, Riemst, Heers, and Herstappe have sent a joint letter to Finance Minister Jan Jambon (N-VA) and Minister Vanessa Matz (Les Engagés), who is responsible for state buildings. They express regret over the federal plan to close 22 of the 43 tax offices in Belgium by 2030, including the one in Tongeren-Borgloon.
According to them, employees from the region will have to move to Hasselt, which will become the only remaining tax office in Limburg. They warn that this will greatly increase commuting time for many and reduce access to public services in smaller towns. The mayors also note that finding a new use for the building will be difficult and that leaving it empty would have a negative social impact on the area.
“Direct human contact between taxpayers and the tax authorities is a basic service that should be close and accessible to everyone,”
the letter states.
“Citizens need help filing their tax returns. This is especially true for older people, who are not always familiar with the digital tools that would replace on-site services.”
Why are mayors protesting the planned closure of the Tongeren-Borgloon tax office?
“The building dates back to 2002 and was built by and for the government, but was then sold to the publicly traded company Befimmo,”
says owner Alexander Steyns of Downtown Real Estate.
“We bought it from Befimmo at the end of 2022, along with 24 other buildings owned by the Federal Public Service Finance and the Federal Public Service Justice. The lease for Tongeren-Borgloon runs until the end of 2027. I was surprised to learn of the decision through the press. In the meantime, I’ve submitted questions to the Belgian Buildings Agency and the Federal Public Service Finance, but I haven’t received a response yet.”
Mayor Feytons also voiced concern for the 161 employees who will have to travel to Hasselt once the Tongeren-Borgloon office closes. He said the move will greatly increase their commuting time and reduce daily activity in the city. The employees, who often visit local shops and cafes during lunch hours, contribute to the town’s economy and atmosphere.
Feytons added that leaving such a large building empty would be a waste and socially undesirable. The mayors of Tongeren-Borgloon, Wellen, Riemst, Heers, and Herstappe have jointly written to the federal government to seek a solution that protects local services and prevents more disruption for both staff and residents.
The tax office in Tongeren-Borgloon is a modern and well-maintained building, unlike the outdated tax office in Hasselt that dates back to the 1970s, where ceiling tiles are already falling. The decision by the Federal Public Service Finance to close 22 of its 43 local offices in Belgium by 2030 was first announced in July 2024 after an internal review that began in 2023.
Mayor Jo Feytons of Tongeren-Borgloon said that his administration collected information in advance and discussed the matter with the police department after the summer. He added that Riemst, under Mayor Mark Vos, was also included in the discussions.
According to Feytons, the decision was made without any consultation and is damaging for the region. He said the annual “tax return days” clearly show that residents still need in-person services, even though local staff are not specialists and often have to refer citizens elsewhere for help.
