Correction of data

A legal entity may or must correct its annual accounts at its own initiative or at the request of its accountant/auditor. This may take the form of a corrected version of previously published (statutory or consolidated) annual accounts and/or the filing of other documents. The Code of Companies and Associations provides for two types of corrections: voluntary corrections and required corrections.

A corrected filing does not replace the previously filed annual accounts. The initial version remains visible and available for consultation even after a corrected version is filed.

In which cases?

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The Code of Companies and Associations (CCA) provides for the possibility to correct previously filed and published annual accounts.

This is possible if the annual accounts have been published but:

  • one or more documents (annual report, auditor’s report, social balance sheet) were not appended,
  • certain figures were misstated,
  • the start or end date of the financial year was not correctly indicated,*
  • the enterprise number is incorrect,*
  • the annual accounts were filed in the wrong language* (not valid for annual accounts in English),
  • the annual accounts were denominated in the wrong currency.*

* In these cases, a corrected filing is only allowed with the same figures. In other words, there should be no change in the content, only a rectification of the incorrect identification data. If this is not the case, a new filing must be made.

A correction of annual accounts previously accepted by the National Bank of Belgium is effected by filing the complete, duly amended annual accounts. Where applicable, a correction is also possible by filing all other documents to be filed, duly amended (Source: Art. 3:73, RD CCA).

How to file a corrected version

A corrected filing of annual accounts and/or other documents can only be made through the Filing application. The corrected annual accounts can be submitted either as an XBRL or a PDF file.

For an XBRL file

Be sure to indicate - using the annual accounts production software - that the new filing is a corrected one.

In the Filing application, proceed as follows when formatting the IDENTIFICATION DATA:

  • Tick “Yes” in answer to the question “Is this a correction for an annual account already accepted by the NBB for the same exercise?”
  • Enter the identification number of the legal entity whose annual accounts are to be corrected.
  • Fill in the period end date of the annual accounts to be corrected.
  • Specify the model for the annual accounts to be corrected.
  • Select the language code of the annual accounts to be corrected.

For a PDF file

The procedure for a PDF file is the same as for an XBRL file (see above).

On the cover sheet of a PDF file, add the word “correction” (for companies, Art. 3:73 RD CCA) and “correction” (for associations and foundations, Art 3:191 RD CCA).

Fees

Special fees apply for a corrected filing