Why Holland

Why Holland

Why the Netherlands is the country that attracts international businesses? What are the reasons to come to the Netherlands? And what are the benefits of the Dutch fiscal system?

About the country

Why
 
Holland

The Netherlands is situated in the Western part of Europe and with the Port of Rotterdam, it is truly a gateway into Europe. Already starting early in the 17th century the Netherlands began to develop itself into a center of world trade. The Netherlands maintained its position as a favorable jurisdiction to locate headquarters of internationally operating businesses throughout many years. It is a full member of the EU and as such has many attractive features for globally operating companies as it has concluded over 90 Double Taxation Treaties. The Treaties can significantly reduce (and sometimes eliminate) withholding taxes on dividends, interest and royalty payments.

Apart from the tax advantages the economy and political environment are stable, the financial system is of high quality and the infrastructure is excellent. The labor force is skilled, flexible and highly motivated.

The international nature of the business environment in the Netherlands allows for the filing of annual accounts in some foreign languages and both the accounts and corporate income tax returns may be filed with the Dutch Tax Authorities in currencies other than the EURO. Although Dutch is the national language, English can easily be called the second language.

reasons to

Come to
 
the Netherlands
Unique level of asset protection

provided by a high number of investment protection treaties, territorial approach to bankruptcies and legal forms enabling floating assets and split of ownership/economical rights

Sound and efficient legal system

which enables swift set up, restructuring and liquidation

Flexible law

enabling tailormade cooperation
between investors

Proven holding regime

with absence of dividend withholding tax (when structured properly)

Attractive expat conditions

with an expat center enabling highly skilled migrants to be hired on the short term with limited paperwork and having a compensation for the additional expenses by means of a 30% ruling

Good infrastructure

by means of international airports/roads/international trains/ports

Good 'onshore' reputation
Double taxation treaties

with a large number of countries

Politicial stability
High standards of living

with affordable housing, safety, good education and work environment

dispute resolution

Independent, effective and efficient

Solid financial and corporate services

infrastructure which benefits from a stable real economy

summary of the dutch

Fiscal
 
system
Corporate Income Tax

Dutch companies are subject to Corporate Income Tax at a maximum rate of 25% (up to a profit of 200.000 Euro 16,5%)for the year 2020 and the year 2021 maximum 21,7 % (up to a profit of 200.000 Euro 15,0%)on income generated in The Netherlands. Income generated abroad is protected by the participation exemption, by tax treaties and by a unilateral rule to avoid double taxation on the profits of permanent establishments.

Participation Exemption Regime

Under participation exemption rules, income from dividends and capital gains connected with qualified shareholdings is exempt from taxation in The Netherlands. This exemption is granted provided: 1) the participation is at least 5% of the nominal paid-up capital of the subsidiary; and 2) the subsidiary does not qualify as a low-tax portfolio investment company subject to an effective tax rate of less than 10%. The "Motive Test" can be applied as an additional test to prove that the structure does not concern a passive portfolio investment.

capital gains

Capital gains are not subject to tax in The Netherlands provided the participation exemption rules are satisfied. If not, a maximum tax rate of 25% applies.

interest

Interest income is taxed at maximum 25%, but normally there is an offsetting interest expense from a shareholder's loan. In general, the amount taxed in The Netherlands is the spread of approximately 1/8%. Withholding tax on interest payments in the jurisdiction of the remitting party is determined by the EU Parent-Subsidiary Directive or the applicable DTT. The Netherlands does not levy withholding taxes on interest payments.

Double Tax Treaties (DTTs)

The Netherlands has one of the largest network of DTTs in force, including DTTs with most jurisdictions with high tax rates. Because The Netherlands is a EU Member State, Dutch companies may receive tax-free dividends from their EU subsidiaries where the Parent-Subsidiary Directive applies. This is subject to anti-avoidance provisions in the jurisdiction of the paying company. Under certain conditions, interest and royalties may be exempt from withholding taxes under the EU Interest and Royalties Directive.

Share Capital

The minimum required share capital of EUR 18,000 for B.V. companies has been abolished as at 1 October 2012. Shares in B.V. companies may be issued in registered form only and different classes of shares are permissible. Dutch N.V. companies may also issue bearer shares.

Dividend

Dividend income is not subject to tax in The Netherlands provided the participation exemption rules are met. If not, a maximum tax rate of 26.25 % for 2020 and 26,90% for 2021 applies. Withholding tax on dividends in the jurisdiction of the remitting party is determined by either the EU Parent-Subsidiary Directive or the applicable Double Tax Treaty (DTT).

Withholding tax on outbound dividends

The Netherlands levies a withholding tax of 15% on outbound dividends. This may be reduced if shares in the Dutch company are held by a holding company that has a DTT with the Netherlands, or are held by a company within the EU (e.g. Cyprus), or held by a Dutch Cooperative.

Interest deduction limitations

The Netherlands has thin capitalization rules and interest on excessive debt (3:1 ratio) is not deductible. These rules rarely apply in practice because interest paid on loans used to finance participations is not tax deductible. Value Added Tax (VAT) In the Netherlands, the VAT rate is 21%. Like in all EU Member States, Dutch holding, financing and royalty companies need custom-made VAT advice.

royalty

Royalty income is taxed at maximum 25%. Normally, there is an offsetting royalty expense from a license agreement, and the amount taxed in The Netherlands is the spread. The percentage of the spread depends on the size of the amounts. Withholding tax on royalty payments in the jurisdiction of the remitting party is determined by the EU Parent-Subsidiary Directive or the applicable DTT. The Netherlands does not impose withholding taxes on royalties paid.