More than a week after the attack on the Finance ministry's systems, the tax authority is still handling VAT applications by hand
Start-ups that need a VAT number must send their request by email, and the backlog has grown to 5,500 files.
Anyone wanting to become self-employed still cannot apply for a VAT number online. The online service has been down since the cyberattack on the FPS Finance that came to light at the end of October. De Tijd broke the news and VRT NWS confirmed it. According to VRT NWS, the attackers did not manage to steal data, but a number of applications were taken offline as a precaution. MyMinfin and Tax-on-web are working again, La Libre writes, but VAT number activation is not.
Since Thursday, applications can be emailed to the FPS, where staff process them manually. That takes considerably longer, spokesman Francis Adyns acknowledges. The service normally handles between 20,000 and 30,000 activations and deactivations a month; the FPS says some 5,500 files are now waiting for an activation, change or cancellation.
The business counters Liantis and Xerius alone report thousands of files in the queue, mostly from start-ups. La Libre points out that a VAT number is essential for issuing invoices and making purchases, meaning new business owners cannot properly get their activity going for now.