We hope this news has reached you before you read it here on our website, but the VAT increase is off the table for now. The Creatieve Coalitie provides more information in their Creative Community, where anyone working in culture can sign up to be even closer to their news. Below summeries what they have put out about the VAT news:

The Creatieve Coalitie, together with us and other members, have been fighting over the past months to get the VAT increase on culture, art and reading off the table. Newspaper advertisements were placed, polls were taken, videos for social media were produced, letters were sent out, sticker campaigns were launched, a major receipt campaign during Budget Day was rolled out, and culture campaigns including ‘Don’t Tax My Public’. These actions ensured continued attention among the public. With success. Opinion polls showed that the public was beginning to embrace our story. In spring, 49% of the Dutch still supported the VAT increase, but this quickly dropped to just 20%.

The second chamber has now voted by a majority to reverse the VAT increase on culture, sports, books and newspapers (note: not on accommodation/hotels). In budgetary terms, reversing the VAT increase on ‘cultural goods and services’ (as it is so nicely called) is by far the largest. This involves a sum of a sloppy €953 million a year in increased taxes.

Nonetheless, the VAT increase is after all included in the Tax Plan (the Collective Tax Revenue and Expenditure Act). The law therefore states that the VAT increase will go ahead. Still, we can assume that it will be reversed. Last week, in feverish discussions between opposition parties (needed in the Senate) and minister Eelco Heinen (Finance), a ‘deal’ was struck that he wants to reverse the VAT increase on culture, sports, books and newspapers. This deal, coordinated by Inge van Dijk (CDA), was cast in a motion and passed.

In other words; so on paper, the VAT increase is still going ahead, but in word and deed they are abandoning it.

This still remains somewhat exciting. By spring, the cabinet must find EUR 1.2 billion to reverse the VAT measure. The minister has promised to look at alternative coverage with the House of Representatives. An alternative cover must be found, otherwise this deal is well and truly in jeopardy.

But like the Creatieve Coalitie, we are positive about the outcome.

Another issue the Creatieve Coalitie is also committed to is compulsory AOV (dissablity insurance), this is progress for now:

As you may have gathered; compulsory AOV is going back to the drawing board! This is very good news. The Minister of Social Affairs & Employment is going to deal with the criticism of the bill that we as a coalition, among others, expressed together. In the letter, the minister also gives feedback on his conversation with The Creative Coalition, among others. In other words; we are at the table!

Read more about these issues on de Creatieve Community!