The king of the Netherlands may quickly lose virtually half of his yearly wage, because the nation’s parliament considers new laws that will tax the royal household’s earnings.
In accordance with the Dutch structure, King Willem-Alexander and his household don’t should pay taxes on the yearly allowance they obtain for finishing up their royal duties. They’re additionally exempt from taxes on their inheritance and their private property in some circumstances.
However this week, MPs from the D66, SP, and PvdD events submitted a movement that will see the tax exemption on the monarchy’s allowance revoked. The movement acquired the two-thirds assist it wanted to move in each chambers of the Dutch parliament.
“It is crucial that the king pays earnings tax as properly,” D66 MP Joost Sneller instructed native media. “Academics and law enforcement officials achieve this, and everybody contributes to public providers.”
Outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who beforehand opposed taxing the royal household’s salaries, additionally voiced his assist for the proposal.
“I might not be in opposition to that in any respect, however this can be very advanced,” he mentioned on Thursday.
The Netherlands has a progressive earnings tax system. The tax charge for earners over €75,518 is 49.5 %. Because the king at the moment receives roughly €1.1 million yearly for performing his royal duties, he would owe round €500,000.
An identical movement was submitted final yr and acquired a easy majority however fell in need of the required two-thirds assist. Following final November’s basic election, the events which have beforehand supported making the king pay earnings tax now management 112 of the 150 seats within the Home of Representatives and no less than 50 out of 75 within the Senate, in keeping with the NL Occasions.
Queen Máxima receives an allowance of €431,000 whereas Princess Amalia, who will at some point ascend the throne, is eligible for €300,000 — however waived the allowance in 2021. The full value of funding the Dutch royal household was budgeted at €55 million in 2024, a rise of 11 % since 2023.