Less paperwork for freelancers, says Finance Sec.

The government is planning on reducing administrative burden for freelancers and the self-employed, Finance Secretary Eric Wiebes said in a letter to Parliament. One of the key changes is eliminating the VAR declaration required of freelancers to prove they are actually self-employed, and not being exploited by another business. Entrepreneurs will also no longer be required to fill in the online questionnaire on the website of the tax office. The original legislation was also supposed to make sure that freelancers receive tax exemptions to which they are entitled. The new legislation should also make the administrative procedures easier for potential contractors who might want to higher a freelancer, and it may lead to greater transparency of tax regulation for the self-employed. The cabinet wants to eliminate the VAR and start the alternative plan by January 1.