Tax office drops net on defaulters

According to director Hans Blokpoel of the Tax Authorities, the tax office collected over 50 million euro more from defaulters than in 2013. Through a more effective approach and supervision, they are closing the net around people who do not pay their taxes. The recovery of debts has recently been concentrated in two rural centers and three defaulters are constantly "tracked", says Blokpoel. "We see if someone gets a new job, receives an inheritance, buys a car. Once we notice that, we immediately start a claim." The tax office has better software available and there is also a "team of clever people" working on this, says the director. "Young people who come directly from the university and make much more intelligent analysis based on the available data." Next year the tax office will expand this approach even further and in the same way follow 1.2 million small business. "I expect spectacular results", says Blokpoel. The tax office will not only bring in more money from defaulters, but also through better monitoring and combating fraud. According to Blokpoel, 2.5 percent of the 9 million taxpayers are not paying their taxes.