So it's alright for big business to avoid tax, but it's not ok for us Dutch people to try to minimise the Governments tax take ?.

The public have to bail out the finance industry and also have to pay for their mistakes. Where is the justice?

Ja Karl thats a good question and one we will not get an answser for.... the business have to make a profit and we have to endure a looses. Is'nt that how it's always been?

So, let me get this straight. The NS can save millions in tax by having part of their operation registered in Ireland, yet if I, a consumer, wants to save myself a few Euros by being sensible, then the Treasury cry foul. I have only two words for Mr Weekers...

Interesting... So even the insurance companies are trying to help people out and offer them an alternative and the government won't allow it.

Who would have thought....

This dude needs to line up with the rest of them. It's tax efficiency not avoidance and I would look forward to the opportunity to explain a few basics to this "junior" finance minister.

It's a scandal if you ask me. It's okay for students to take more than the necessary years to complete studies, however people who insure themselves are now being penalized by having to pay higher insurance tax.... Can you imagine what will happen if people stop insuring themselves? How much will that cost a country in the long run?

Agreed with the point above- if none of the citizens had assets (mortgages.. or anything 'to loose'), there would be an uprising.
Some heavy discussions to be had with the tax man I think..

hey mini-esther:

i pay a lot of tax. guess what, if i get a bill, i buy a ticket and fly away.

you loss more than what you billed me for.

FYI: Rueters yesterday wrote 25% of high tech startups in the US started by a highly skilled migrant while your short sighted arragments are chasing them away.

Thats right keep taxing us while we keep getting poorer.It will go full circle and one day we just wont have any will or point to go to work.I would like to see how Mr Weekers avoids his tax as I am sure he dose.

I was born in NL Wanroy NB. I can not believe how the dutch have become slaves to the government. You buy something then pay almost a 1/4 again to the government, and that's not you're only tax. I live in Canada thanks to competition, we can buy things in the US

I'd love to be able to say 'You voted these fools in just a few weeks ago'. Sadly, most posters here are expats who don't have a vote.

Would I have given the VVD another chance? Not a chance: I've no doubt half of them serve on the exec boards of banks, pharmas and insurance firms.

The Dutch voted them in - now we all have to pay, pay, pay! My heart goes out to those unfortunate enough to be chronically sick and the elderly, as you're going to suffer most under this fool unless Samson grows a pair and reigns him in.

Finance services should be exempted from tax to be inline with competitive economics, encourage more finance services and encourage employment.