On 19 September 2013, the Netherlands Lower House of parliament approved a Bill on Various Tax Amendments 2013.
The Bill provides that a person who has reached the age of 60 but is not yet 64 at the commencement of the calendar year and earns income from a current employment or from business activities will receive a working bonus worth up to EUR 1,100 if certain conditions are fulfilled. Employers may pay out this bonus on a monthly basis.
The Bill also contains provisions in respect of VAT. Although the incorporation of energy-saving materials into homes is currently subject to the lower 6% rate, the labor involved in installing the glass and other materials has up to now been subject to the 21% standard rate of VAT. These labor costs are now also to be charged to VAT at the lower 6% rate.
