ChristenUnie welcomes Dutch tax-plan changes but raises box 3 concerns

The ChristenUnie has welcomed changes to the Dutch government’s tax plan, but party leader Mirjam Bikker says she still has concerns about how its proposed tax on investment gains will work and be funded.

Bikker praised the cabinet’s decision to set aside €347 million to reverse a planned income-tax increase intended to help pay for higher defence spending. She also welcomed the decision to retain a tax deduction for people with chronic illnesses.

But she wants more clarity on the proposed tax on savings and investments, known as box 3. The Council of State advised on Monday that the plan should be scrapped and replaced with a new proposal for 2030. “I am concerned about the funding,” Bikker said. “I am concerned about its feasibility.”

The government is looking to the ChristenUnie, 50PLUS and Group Markuszower for support in the House of Representatives. Even with all three parties behind it, the minority cabinet would still fall short of a majority in the Senate.

The cabinet’s revised plan follows renewed talks with opposition parties over taxation of savings and investments. The government has not disclosed details of its revised proposal.