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