Local politicians call for 30% ruling to go
For years, the 30% tax ruling has been a focal point for Dutch politicians who argue the policy is unfair to local citizens, claiming it fuels the housing shortage in major cities. This debate reached a new peak today when a local politician, joined by 40 others from the Amsterdam region, formally petitioned the government to scrap the ruling. They argue the tax break creates 'unfair competition' in an already strained housing market.
Local politicians call for 30% ruling to go
The claim
The group, led by Haarlem PvdA leader Maarten Wiedemeijer, argues that the tax break for high-earning international workers creates "unfair competition" in the housing market. Their key points include:
Economic growth and labor migration have outpaced home building, leaving "home hunters" with fewer opportunities.
Officials claim the tax break allows internationals to outbid locals for both rentals and purchases.
The petition comes after the new government scrapped plans to reduce the ruling from 30% to 27%, following warnings from major tech firms like ASML about national competitiveness.
Despite the political pressure, an SEO economic report (2024) found that the ruling's impact on housing prices is actually modest and has "no price effect of economic significance" on a national scale. However, the report did acknowledge that local effects in Amsterdam could be more noticeable.