Local tax revenues to rise by 2.6 percent
- Substantial increase in property tax
- Revenues from construction fees down again
- Lower revenues from surcharge on motor vehicle tax
According to figures from Statistics Netherlands, based on local government budgets, local authorities in the Netherlands expect to receive 12.5 billion euro in local taxes in 2013. This is 2.6 percent more than in 2012. Provincial governments anticipate a slight decrease in tax revenues (-0.4 percent).
Municipalities foresee tax revenues totalling 8.5 billion euro in 2013, 2.9 percent more than last year. In spite of decreasing official house values, the estimated revenues from property tax on residential and commercial properties are 5.2 percent higher than in 2012. The increase is mainly the result of tariff increases and larger property areas.
Construction fees are expected to put 6.6 percent less in local government coffers in 2013. This will be the fourth year in a row with lower revenues from construction fees. This is mainly an effect of the economic crisis, which has dampened construction activity.
Provincial governments are counting on receiving nearly 1,5 billion euro in surcharges on motor vehicle tax. This is 0.4 percent less than in 2012. This decrease is mainly the effect of the increased popularity of environmental friendly low-fuel cars.
The water boards anticipate total revenues of 2.5 billion euro in land draining rates in 2013, an increase of 3.2 percent. The largest increase is for revenues from the water system tax (5.0 percent). Revenues from this tax are used for the construction and maintenance of dams, dykes, waterways and water courses.