But perhaps more importantly, what will 2020 be about?
We kept you up to date with current events in our field in 2019. There are a number of recurring themes in our articles. These themes are likely to return in the new year as well.
Notes
Of course, we regularly update our notes and fact sheets. The most popular is probably the fact sheet on the gift tax exemptions, which are increased annually by the inflation adjustment factor. Annual updates are also made to the note Tax liability of foundation and association (and for sports associations, there is a note on the subsidy scheme BoSa).
For (sports) foundations and associations, the Tax Administration had a special focus in 2019. This will continue to be the case in 2020. This action has been named Stivers received.
Hot topics
The hot topics we hoped would be taken out of the fire in 2019 concern the announced current account measure for DMSs and the adjustment of Box 3 (income from savings and investments). That has not yet materialised. See our article Full of anticipation, our hearts beat ....
Cars
An always very rewarding topic are the tax rules around company cars. For VAT, there is little news there. The rules applicable since 1 July 2011 (usually boiling down to: 2.7% or 1.5% of the car's list value) are clear.
For wage and income tax purposes, the electric car is particularly topical. These will increasingly be treated in the same way as a car running on conventional fuel in the coming decade. After all, when these cars become more widely available, their use will no longer need tax incentives.
ZZP-ers
That the Cabinet would not close this long-drawn file in 2019 was already clear at the previous turn of the year. In 2019, it slowly seeped through how the previously stated policy direction would be fleshed out.
Meanwhile, clearly that there will be a minimum rate of €16 per hour and an option to opt out at a rate of €75 per hour.
From 1 January 2020, the enforcement policy will be tightened a bit again.
By the way, the real problem surrounding self-employed people is not in the rules that are intended to be adjusted, but in the far too large difference in tax burden on the income of the self-employed compared to employees. in the Tax Plans for 2020, this gap has been narrowed a bit, but the relatively low tax burden on profit from business still makes that income category very interesting.
UBO
The UBO register will not be in place in the Netherlands by the date required by the EU (10 January 2020), but in the meantime the Lower House did agree to its introduction. Once the Senate has also done so, the register can come into force permanently.
Business succession facility
We mentioned above the gift tax exemptions. By far the highest exemption for that tax (and also for inheritance tax) is the business succession facility. The acquisition of business assets (possibly in the form of substantial interest shares) is fully exempt up to over €1,000,000, and of the amount by which the value of the acquisition is higher, no less than 83% is exempt. Reason enough to take this facility into account when structuring companies.
This facility has been particularly prevalent in the judiciary in 2019. Thus made out that the possession requirement should be assessed on a per-segment basis. In addition, the case law surrounding whether the business succession facility can be applied to a property (company) has continued to develop in 2019.
Phasing out self-administered pensions
It will no longer be about that in 2020. After all, these options are valid until 31 December 2019.
But because the settlement of the returns, which incorporate the commutation or conversion of the pension, always takes a few years, we may not be rid of it for good.
VAT
In VAT, the 4 quick fixes will be implemented with effect from 1 January 2020. These adjustments are particularly important for companies operating internationally within the EU. They concern the rules around the VAT identification number, ABC transactions and call-off stocks.
In addition, on 1 January 2020, the new small business scheme (KOR) in force.
The VAT rules around e-commerce, including the rules on sales of goods to individuals, living in another EU member state, are likely to be simplified from 1 January 2021.
The VAT item for 2020 is likely to be the Brexit.
Happy 2020
As in 2019, there will be plenty of designs to inform you about in 2020 too. Therefore, keep the section current on our website.
VWG wishes everyone a healthy and happy 2020.