# Cabinet invites seven opposition parties to tax plan talks

> The cabinet will open talks next week with seven opposition parties on the tax plan (belastingplan), which sets how taxes are arranged for the coming years. A Tweede Kamer vote is planned for 12 November.

Politics · published 2026-10-24 20:30 · https://nlnow.nl/a/cabinet-invites-seven-opposition-parties-to-tax-plan-talks/

After a meeting of the cabinet leadership today, the cabinet will invite Pro, JA21, BBB, SGP, ChristenUnie, 50Plus and Volt to negotiate further on the tax plan. The cabinet of D66, VVD and CDA is still aiming for a broad deal with both left and right.

**Why it matters**

- This year the cabinet plans to lower the excise duty on petrol and cut the startersaftrek, the deduction for starting entrepreneurs.
- The Tweede Kamer debates the plan further on Monday. The vote is planned for 12 November.

Prime minister Jetten and minister Heinen will lead the talks. Other ministers may join. Jetten, vice-premiers Yesilgöz and Van den Brink, Heinen and state secretary Eerenberg (both Finance) met today to discuss how much room the cabinet has to negotiate.

The opposition parties have set very different demands for their support. Pro wants the higher income tax for the coming years dropped entirely. JA21 wants stricter asylum measures. BBB asks for changes to the nitrogen (stikstof) plans. SGP wants the cabinet to do more to prevent abortions.

Pro leader Klaver invited himself to Jetten last week to start "serious negotiations" (serieuze onderhandelingen), trying to get a single deal on the left. The cabinet did not take that route.

Separately, after heavy criticism the cabinet withdrew its plan to make smaller savers and investors help pay for the box 3 (wealth tax) solution. A way to fund it is still needed.

## 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.

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