Eerenberg urges MPs to limit changes to Dutch wealth-tax bill

Dutch State Secretary for Taxation Eelco Eerenberg has urged MPs not to make extensive amendments to the revised Box 3 bill, warning that further changes could disrupt a timetable designed to get the long-running reform through quickly.

Eerenberg acknowledged that the proposal has shortcomings, but said there was little room to alter it beyond possible changes to tax rates. The government is asking the tax authority and banks to handle a demanding transition, he told the House of Representatives.

If passed, the bill would probably mean that from 2029 most investments are taxed only when gains are realised. A small group of assets would remain subject to tax on unrealised gains for one further year. Eerenberg said attempts to change the rules for those categories in the meantime could disrupt the process.

The Council of State has warned that the implementation demands are substantial. Last week, it urged the government to prepare an entirely new bill to establish a workable system for all asset categories from 2030. Its advice followed wider concerns about whether the proposed changes can be implemented on schedule.

Eerenberg said completing the drawn-out reform would also help maintain taxpayers’ support for the Box 3 system, which covers income from savings and investments. The House is due to vote on the government’s tax package on 12 November.