The Dutch Tax Administration is preparing to kick off the new year with stricter checks against bogus self-employment, starting January 1.
Helaas, this is some bad news for the Ministry of Finance. 😬
Talk about irony
Turns out, the Ministry of Finance has been depending heavily on ZZP’ers (zelfstandige zonder personeel or self-employed people) in its recovery operation for the infamous childcare benefits scandal. Around 580 of them, to be exact.
How ironic that the institution responsible for managing the nation’s money relies on (precarious) ZZP’ers. 🙄
In conversation with NU.nl, a spokesperson for the Ministry claims, “many of them legitimately work as self-employed people.”
“We have already reduced the number of self-employed people considerably. But if all self-employed people were to be removed from the team in January, the recovery operation [for the benefits scandal] could be delayed.”
No exceptions
Meanwhile, over at the Tax and Customs Administration, they’re taking no exceptions for the new implementations.
If tax authorities suspect bogus self-employment, they can impose fines.
READ MORE | Finding a job in Amsterdam: the ultimate guide in 2024
In response, the Ministry of Finance has remained adamant — assuring freelancers in their employ that any fines received will be paid.
What do you think about this stricter rule? Tell us in the comments.