The end of the generous Dutch system of mortgage tax relief is in sight and the subject is no longer taboo, ‘trusted sources’ told the AD on Tuesday.

According to the sources, plans have already been made to limit the tax relief for house owners who take out a new mortgage or change lenders, says the paper.
This is likely to be one of the main measures the government will take to get its finances in order, now it appears inevitable more savings are necessary.
While the ruling VVD and Christian Democrats have said there will be no change this cabinet period, a number of senior party members have called for change in recent weeks.
However, the cabinet’s alliance partner, the anti-Islam PVV remains opposed. ‘The VVD and the Christian Democrats must stiffen their resolve,’ PVV leader Geert Wilders told the Telegraaf.
Coalition
His party agreed to support the government’s economic policy when the coalition was formed at the end of 2009.
The need for extra cuts because of the deterioration in the economy is putting pressure on mortgage tax relief but Wilders says: ‘It is debatable if budget agreements should be blindly followed.’
Wilders is determined that mortgage tax relief will not be scrapped. ‘In these difficult times, too many cuts can cause more harm than good,’ he told the Telegraaf.