# Bikker sees cabinet move on tax plan talks

> ChristenUnie leader Mirjam Bikker says the cabinet is moving in its talks with the opposition on the tax plan, but that the box 3 debate has gone on too long.

Politics · published 2026-10-28 10:36 · https://nlnow.nl/a/bikker-sees-good-movements-from-cabinet-on-tax-plan/

ChristenUnie leader Mirjam Bikker says she sees "good movements" from the cabinet in its negotiations with the opposition over the tax plan. She spoke after a meeting with, among others, Prime Minister Rob Jetten and Finance Minister Eelco Heinen.

Bikker is worried about what she sees as excessive attention for box 3, the tax on returns from savings and investments. The debate in The Hague has gone on "much too long", she said. "It takes a huge amount of capacity at the Tax Administration (Belastingdienst), which we actually need for a simpler benefits system that ordinary people get something out of." She also wants a "sensible coverage" for the revenue the government forgoes through adjustments the cabinet still wants to make.

## Background

- **Box 3**: The part of Dutch income tax that taxes savings and investments. Tax is charged on an assumed return rather than the actual return; after the Supreme Court ruled from 2021 that this can breach property rights, the system has to be reformed.
- **Belastingdienst**: The Tax and Customs Administration of the Netherlands is the Dutch government agency responsible for levying taxes, collecting social security premiums and customs duties, and carrying out the related tax tasks for individuals and businesses. It is part of the Ministry of Finance. It also runs the benefits and allowances handled by its Dienst Toeslagen (Benefits Service), so changes to tax rules or benefit schemes directly affect its workload.

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