A favourable maritime tax climate is important to shipping companies that operate worldwide. The Dutch tax system has many features that make the Netherlands an attractive location for businesses. Important elements include the way profits are considered, the tonnage taxation, the participation exemption, no statutory withholding tax on outgoing interest and royalty payments, a wide network of bilateral tax treaties to avoid double taxation and, in many cases, reduced or no withholding tax on dividends to qualifying companies, the possibility to allow for accelerated depreciation schemes and the wage costs tax facility.
The most important elements are:
- Tax ruling gift certainty
- Participation exemption
- Tonnage tax
- Exceptions to the flag requirements
- Administrative duties
- Wage costs tax facility