MEASUREMENTS COVID-19 DUTCH GOVERNMENT

FOR: EMPLOYERS

An entrepreneur who expects a loss of turnover (of at least 20%) can apply to the UWV for a salary contribution for a period of three months (maximum 90% of the wage bill, depending on the loss of turnover).

UWV will provide an advance of 80% of the requested contribution.

This allows companies to continue to pay their staff. On-call and flex workers can also be included. The condition is that no staff may be made redundant for economic reasons during the subsidy period and that wages are paid.

2.  Extra support for independent entrepreneurs

FOR: FREELANCERS, PARTNERS WITHIN A VOF AND PARTNERS WITHIN A PARTNERSHIP

The cabinet is introducing a temporary, relaxed arrangement to support independent entrepreneurs, including self-employed persons, so that they can continue their business. The scheme is implemented by municipalities, but is currently being further elaborated. Self-employed persons can receive additional income support for subsistence for a period of three months through an accelerated procedure. This supplements the income to the social minimum and does not have to be repaid. There is no asset or partner test in this temporary assistance scheme for self-employed entrepreneurs and the viability of the company will not be central.

Support under this temporary arrangement will also be possible in the form of a working capital loan at a reduced interest rate. It is expected that it will be possible to receive an advance on this support.

3.  Less strict rules of deferral of taxation, reduction of fines and interest

FOR: ALL AFFECTED ENTREPRENEURS

Affected entrepreneurs can more easily apply for a deferment of tax. The collections are then stopped immediately, for both income, corporate, wage and turnover tax. Any default penalties for late payment do not have to be paid. In addition, it is not necessary to send evidence immediately, it takes longer to do so.

4.  Emergency counter

FOR: ENTREPRENEURS DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY GOVERNMENT MEASURES

There will be an emergency counter for the contribution in the form of a donation for the first emergency to entrepreneurs who have been directly taken by government measures to combat the corona crisis and who see their turnover wholly or largely disappear. In particular, this concerns food and beverage outlets and other establishments that are forced to abandon most of their activities, such as beauty salons and others who may get into trouble due to the 1.5 meter distance requirement.

The requirement is that it concerns companies with a physical layout outside their own home.

5.  Broadening of the Guarantee for Business Financing scheme

FOR: (MEDIUM) LARGE COMPANIES

Businesses that have problems obtaining bank loans and bank guarantees can make use of the GO scheme. The cabinet proposes to increase the guarantee ceiling from 400 million to 1.5 billion. With the GO scheme, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate helps with a 50% guarantee on bank loans and bank guarantees (minimum 1.5 million – maximum 150 million per company).

To make use of this scheme, you can contact your own bank.

6.  Interest rebate for small entrepreneurs on microcredits Qredits

FOR: KLEINE ONDERNEMERS (VOORALSNOG MET EEN KREDIET BIJ QREDITS)

Qredits opens a temporary crisis measure in which it is supported by the cabinet: for small entrepreneurs who are affected by the corona problem, a repayment of repayment is offered for a period of six months and the interest during this period is automatically reduced to 2%.

This measure will be discussed with the European Commission and Qredits will develop an adequate test to ensure that only corona related applications are granted. The advice is to wait for further reports.

7.   Temporary guarantee for agricultural and horticultural companies

FOR: AGRICULTURAL AND GARDEN COMPANIES

For agricultural and horticultural companies, a temporary guarantee for working capital will be provided under the Guarantee for SME Agricultural Credits (BL) scheme. In this way, the cabinet guarantees the credits of agricultural entrepreneurs.

At the moment, the scheme is not yet open and is not known yet, the advice is to await further reporting. You can contact your own bank to make use of this scheme.

8.  Consultation about discontinuing tourist tax (central government / municipalities) and the cultural sector

FOR: TOURISM AND CULTURAL SECTOR

In consultation with the Association of Dutch Municipalities (VNG), the Cabinet is discussing the possibility of ending (provisional) local attacks on entrepreneurs and withdrawing already imposed assessments on companies.

This concerns in particular tourist tax. The government is also in consultation with the culture sector to be able to link up with generic measures and any specialization if necessary.

At this time, no more is known, the advice is to wait for further reports.