Dutch election topic

[Marco]

Maybe of interest to try and follow the election in on thread. Not just cannabis-related

CDA opens election campaign: 35% flat tax and focus on family

Friday 01 June 2012

The Christian Democrats on Friday kicked of their election campaign with the publication of their draft manifesto for the September 12 vote.

The CDA, which is struggling in the opinion polls, aims to portray itself as the party for the family, with a focus on moral values.

The main measures in the manifesto, which has been branded with the slogan Iedereen (everyone), include the introduction of a universal 35% rate of income tax, limits to mortgage tax relief and the return of road pricing - abandoned as unworkable by the previous government.

Values

The party is also focusing on moral values, the Telegraaf points out. It wants a three-month salary maximum for banking bonuses and more decent and respectful society. This includes 'tougher measures' to combat bad behaviour, pollution and road rage.

At the same time, the party pledges to do more to support families, partly by cutting the tax burden and expanding parental leave.

'This is the story I am happy to take to the voters,' party leader Sybrand Van Haersma Buma told reporters at the presentation. 'The CDA will be there for everyone.'

The manifesto still has to be ratified by the CDA conference at the end of this month.

[dconstrukt]

35% tax?

wtf? that is nuts.

[youngian]

the return of road pricing - abandoned as unworkable by the previous government.

So they are happy to abandon unworkable policies. Promising.

[Marco]

35% tax?

wtf? that is nuts.

What is nuts is the 52% tax bracket on income >55k. F##king theivery

[dconstrukt]

55%???!?!?!?!?

are you f'n kidding me?

thats highway robbery.

oh man... I'd be royally screwed there.

what about over 100k?

what about over 200k?

[youngian]

35% tax?

wtf? that is nuts.

The EU low tax economies, like Greece, Portugal, Ireland and Spain are far more in the shit; low growth falling wages and increasingly threadbare welfare states. Not a model many Dutch want to follow.

[treetop]

Any recent polls? Who is going to win?

[Marco]

55%???!?!?!?!?

are you f'n kidding me?

thats highway robbery.

oh man... I'd be royally screwed there.

what about over 100k?

what about over 200k?

It is 55% for all income over 52k and all bonuses. Really hard for me to understand how someone is considered 'rich' at that rate.

[Marco]

Any recent polls? Who is going to win?

The socialists are gaining seats, the CDA is falling, which is good news on the weed pass. the VVD is also gaining a bit. far right Pvv is falling. There is def. a chance at a left coalition, which is good for getting rid of the weed pass. Economically, just like in France, there are not that many options for any government beyond the current path. Thankfully, no plans I have heard of the raise taxes or increase Vat

[dconstrukt]

damn 55% is fucking nuts... giving half of what you make to the govmnt?

i'd shoot myself or figure out some complex corp. structure to get around that.

hopefully things work out better for you guys.... not just with the weed pass but overall... 55% is nuts.

[schererbuzz]

Think how bad you would screw yourself if you made 52,001. I bet a lot of hourly people call in sick the last few days of year if they are close to that magical number.....

[Smirks]

You would only pay the higher tax rate on the earnings over and above 52k. So if you earned €52,001, the 55% rate would only apply to €1 of it. The first €52,000 would be taxed at the lower rate.

[Marco]

You would only pay the higher tax rate on the earnings over and above 52k. So if you earned €52,001, the 55% rate would only apply to €1 of it. The first €52,000 would be taxed at the lower rate.

What he said

The Dutch tax code mystifies me. There is also absolutely no tax benefit to being married or partnered. However, the corporate tax rate is among the world's lowest. While I understand this, as it tends to draw large mu lit nationals here, the worker ends up subsidizing large and profitable companies.

BTW, these taxes do not include the local water tax, about 200 per person, per year, to maintain your local water control, dykes. Or Europe's highest tax on cars.

I moved here a liberal democrat, but am wondering if this welfare state concept is just a big scam.....

[Jasmeena]

There is also absolutely no tax benefit to being married or partnered.

I would disagree. Now you must be married or partnered for your tax paying partner to claim heffingskorting otherwise you must have lived in the country for five years. This changed this year. Before, you could get it straight away. It's 1800 euros a year to subsidise the health insurance payments for people not earning.

Now my boyfriend (not married or partnered for other stupid reasons) can't claim anything and still has to pay my health insurance at 110 euros per month because it's illegal not to have health insurance. I am entitled to zero benefits even tho I am an EU citizen, and paid tax in the UK since I was 18.

I would LOVE to pay tax because that would mean I was earning... can't get a job because I'm over 35! grrr

[dconstrukt]

start a corp.

have your employer pay your corp. instead of paying you.

i know some people who do this, but they're in sales so they don't earn 100% of income via salary... they also get commish.... seems to work out better for them.

but talk to a tax pro. for real advice