Since its inception, AmCham has successfully addressed numerous issues related to the investment and trade climate between the Netherlands and the US.
Photo of the Binnenhof in The Hague
We strive for the optimum ingredients and environment to make business happen and increase economic welfare. By drawing on the experience of our Standing Committees - and our membership at large - AmCham has been able to give guidance in areas such as taxation, the labor market and legal issues, and bring the concerns of our members to the attention of appropriate bodies on both sides of the Atlantic.
AmCham is the leading voice for foreign investors in the Netherlands. The competitive edge that the Netherlands has built in the past decades needs continuous honing and constant benchmarking to point to areas for improvement. The core of our advocacy program is outlined in the Priority Points section of our website.
Highlights in AmCham’s Advocacy History
- Adaptation Dutch Franchise Bill (2020)
- Reduction of the corporate tax rate to 20,5% (2018)
- Transitional arrangement for the shortening of the 30% facility (2018)
- Key advocate in tax planning debate (2014-2017)
- Supporting and maintaining Global Entry Program (2014-2016)
- Multinationals with non-Dutch shared service centers meet "local administration" requirement if sufficient operational activities in NL (2013)
- Non-application of interest limitation restrictions for in country treasury activities (2012)
- Introduction of an innovation box to stimulate R&D (2010)
- Deferring taxation on stock options until a gain is realized
- Elimination of the capital tax
- Lowering of corporate and personal income tax rates (2001 and 2007)
- Enhancing flexibility in working time
- Creating flexibility in CAO agreements for starting companies
- Ensuring conformity of European Works Council legislation with EU Directive (the original Dutch proposal went considerably further than the EU Directive) (1996)
- Converting expatriates’ drivers’ licenses into Dutch licenses
- Granting work permits to partners of expatriates
- Creating a central desk in the tax service for foreign investors and expatriates
- Allowing functional currency for tax purposes
- Allowing fixed term labor contracts to be extended by mutual consent
- US-Netherlands Social Security Treaty (double levying of social security premiums eliminated) (1987)
- Excess Profits Sharing legislation withdrawn (1976)
- Estate Tax Treaty between the US and NL (an end to dual liability of death duties) (1969)
AmCham has also been proactive and instrumental in achieving progress on a wide number of national issues, including:
- Deregulating of retail opening hours
- Allowing fixed term labor contracts to be extended by mutual consent
- Allowing functional currency for tax purposes
- Creating a central desk in the tax service for foreign investors and expatriates
- Granting work permits to partners of expatriates
- Converting expatriates' drivers' licenses into Dutch licenses
- Ensuring conformity of European Works Council legislation with EU Directive (the original Dutch proposal went considerably further than the EU Directive)
- Blocking an amendment to Dutch Works Council legislation which would have given works councils influence over company dividend policy
- Creating flexibility in CAO agreements for starting companies
- Enhancing flexibility in working time
- Lowering of corporate and personal income tax rates
- Lowering of the capital tax rate from 1% to 0.55%
- Deferring taxation on stock options until a gain is realized