Authorities hounding girl, 9, for income tax payment

A 9 year old girl living in Beneden-Leeuwen has been bombarded with letters from the Tax Authorities demanding that she pay income tax and contributions to the Health Insurance Act, NOS reports. Lerato van Gelder, who was adopted from Lesotho, received the first letter in 2014. The letter stated that the tax authorities had noticed that she had not filed any income tax returns for 2013. Her taxable income was estimated at 1,347 euros, plus a default penalty of 226 euros. Later she also received notice that she has to pay 565 euros in contribution to the Health Insurance Act. Lerato's mother, Connie van de Bovenkamp, called the Tax Authorities to rectify the mistake. She was told that it sometimes takes up to four weeks and that the girl should just send the mail back to sender. The girl did just that. Adding a handwritten note saying: "Unfortunately I am not allowed to work yet and I do not have so much pocket money, so I can not pay you. Best regards from Lerato van Gelder." The Tax Authorities' press office told NOS that Lerato does not have to fear for her pocket money. "The Tax Authorities are investigating how this could have happened and will put it right." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoLmJTOJYAQ