WILLEMSTAD - Minister of Finance, Javier Silvania, has announced that he will soon return to Parliament with a new proposal for tax relief. He previously presented a controversial proposal to write off large but old debts.
The aim of this new proposal is to reward taxpayers who are making good progress with their payments, even if they still have a small outstanding debt.
The Council of Ministers has approved the minister's proposal to introduce a tax relief plan. The plan involves allocating an amount of 2,500 guilders to the debtor accounts of all taxpayers. This amount can be used to offset debts up to a maximum of 2,500 guilders, such as property tax (OZB), leasehold, and waste tax.
Small Debt
Data shows that nearly 44,000 people currently have a debt of less than 2,500 guilders. The Tax Collector has already stopped actively pursuing small amounts. For example, they have ceased chasing an ABC Bus Company employee for a 1,000 guilder debt, and no longer send reminders for a 100 guilder debt owed by someone serving coffee at Forti.
The minister emphasized that the tax relief is not only for those with outstanding debts. If someone has no debts, the 2,500 guilders will remain available on their debtor account for two years, to cover any future debts. This means that even taxpayers who have always paid on time can benefit from this arrangement.
The Council of Ministers has already approved this proposal, and the minister hopes Parliament will support it once it is officially submitted.