Christian Union attacks handling of Dutch savings and investment tax plan

Christian Union MP Pieter Grinwis has sharply criticised Finance Minister Eelco Heinen over the handling of a proposed change to the Netherlands’ box 3 tax, saying MPs have been given only a few days to consider it. His party says that timetable makes it difficult to support the proposal.

Box 3 taxes income from savings and investments. Speaking in a parliamentary debate, Grinwis called the short period for scrutiny “undesirable and careless”. Heinen was not present.

Grinwis compared the proposal to something being forced through under the slogan “Heinen wants it”, echoing the religious justification once used for the Crusades. He said he had no personal animosity towards the minister and had worked well with him, but could not overlook what he described as serious problems with the plan.

The Council of State, an advisory body, previously called the proposal “provisionally unworkable” and described the government’s pace for introducing it as “irresponsible”. Grinwis also criticised what he said was inadequate funding to cover much of the billions of euros in revenue the state would miss out on.

He said it would be “very complicated” for the Christian Union to back the proposal, while leaving open the possibility of support if State Secretary for Taxation Eelco Eerenberg accepted amendments during the debate.

The dispute comes as the minority government seeks opposition backing for a revised tax plan after parties rejected an earlier proposal. The government’s renewed talks over the plan included the Christian Union, according to an earlier report.