The tax office is planning to use commercial debt collection agencies to recover unpaid taxes, junior finance minister Frans Weekers has told parliament in a memo.

In addition, the department’s own debt collectors will start visiting people in the weekend and evening to sequester property in connection with tax debts.
In total, 1,600 extra people are being brought in to check tax returns and ensure payment. The entire operation will cost €157m but will generate €663m a year in extra income for the treasury, Weekers says.