Spending power to rise a fraction, 30% ruling will be cut to 27%

By Otmar Van Dijk Sep 14, 2024

The average person will have 0.7% more to spend next year, according to the right-wing government’s financial statement or β€œmiljoenennota” which was leaked to the press on Friday.

The document also confirms earlier reports that the 30% ruling will remain in its present form, but will be cut to 27%.

The leak coincided with the publication of the cabinet’s more detailed policy plans for the coming three years, which focused heavily on curbing immigration.

β€œWe are strengthening the economy by making work more financially rewarding and making it more attractive to work longer hours,” finance minister Eelco Heinen wrote in the introduction to the financial statement.

The biggest benefit will be to households on incomes up to €50,000 who will have 1.1% more to spend, although this is lower than earlier forecast. Pensioners, however, will only have 0.6% more disposable income, while people on social security benefits will have 0.9% more to spend.

The cabinet plans to introduce a new, lower tax band which will boost income but will also be offset by increases in spending, such as on healthcare premiums. The government expects they will rise by an average of €8 a month next year – although it is health insurers who set the premiums, not ministers.

The cabinet’s fiscal and economic climate focuses on an β€œopen economy” and improving the business climate by β€œbeing sparing with limited resources”, the document states.

The plan, is β€œan important move in improving the government’s finances and restoring budgetary discipline,” Heinen said.

The budget deficit will hit 2.8% next year, and rise again in 2026 before falling back.

The transfer tax on residential property will be cut from 10.4% for investors to 8%. Ministers hope this will encourage investors to re-enter the market and invest in new developments.

The document will be formally presented on Tuesday along with the individual budgets for ministeries for the coming year.

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