Dutch industry will face a €3bn increase in taxes, premiums and other charges next year, as a result of the government’s 2012 spending plans, the Financieele Dagblad reports.

A large part of this – €1.25bn – stems from measures taken by the previous government, the paper says.
However employers will be faced with an additional €1bn bill for health insurance premiums and €750m for higher unemployment benefit premiums. The bank tax the government plans to introduce will cost €250m.
The government also plans to extend the scope of corporation tax and has not made any new commitments to reducing tax on profits, the paper says.
Pleased
Nevertheless, employers organisations have welcomed the budget overall. In particular, they are pleased at a new tax break on investment in research and development, and the decision to cut a number of minor taxes.
‘The employers organisations are relieved that the cabinet has made having strong industry the motor for innovation, sustainability and prosperity,’ the VNO-NCW and small business lobby group MKB Nederland said in a joint statement.
‘The cabinet wants our economy to be in the world’s top 5. Good leadership and a prominent role for industry will have to make that happen, despite the difficult economic times.’