- The Eerste Kamer debated the Tax Plan 2025 with State Secretary Van Oostenbruggen
- A vote is expected next week with a majority likely to approve despite discomfort over the VAT increase on books, culture, sports, and media
- The VAT increase from 9 percent to 21 percent in 2026 is intended to prevent a budget shortfall of 1.3 billion euros
- The government has promised to seek alternatives but negotiations will only start at the end of January
- Van Oostenbruggen insists any alternatives should stay within the VAT domain and yield at least the same revenue
- Questions in the Chamber focused on the status of the VAT increase
- The VAT increase on sports, media, and culture is temporarily suspended
- Van Oostenbruggen has decided to suspend the transitional law as a concession to entrepreneurs
- Debates also covered VAT on lodging, wealth tax in box 3, measures to reduce poverty, simplify the tax system, promote green growth, and tax measures for Caribbean municipalities
- The Eerste Kamer desires more time to carefully handle tax proposals
- Eight motions were submitted by the Eerste Kamer
- Motions included stimulating healthy food in the new tax system, setting up an independent advisory committee, and various others related to tax regulations and exemptions
- Most motions were advised against by the State Secretary except a few where the Chamber was left to decide
Source: fiscaalvanmorgen.nl
Note that this post was (partially) written with the help of AI. It is always useful to review the original source material, and where needed to obtain (local) advice from a specialist.
