Dutch Tax Inspectors May Be Afforded More Legal Powers

by Ulrika Lomas, for LawAndTax-News.com, Brussels

23 June 2004

It has emerged that companies operating in the Netherlands may see a large increase in their compliance burdens under proposals recently put forward by Finance Minister Joop Wijn.

The proposal, currently being debated in parliament, would give Dutch tax inspectors increased legal powers to demand information from taxpayers.

Speaking to the LMG news service, the taxation and treasury manager with manufacturing firm, Plantronics suggested that the planned increase of the tax department's powers is unlikely to have an adverse effect on his firm, explaining that:

"I have good contact with both the local inspection as well as the ruling team in Rotterdam. If there is a need for information from the tax office side I am more than willing to assist."

However, he acknowledged that the reaction may not be so positive from all Dutch businesses, observing that:

"This is in fact a further strengthening of information requests and depending on the nature of the details to submit it might have a negative impact on the paperwork companies need to prepare and as such is not so positive."

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