In a matter of days, a petition opposing the imposition of additional taxes on beer has garnered the support of over 20,000 individuals in the Netherlands. The petition was initiated over the weekend in response to an announcement made during Prinsjesdag by the Cabinet, revealing its intentions to introduce a new fee alongside proposed changes to the existing excise tax system, slated to take effect on January 1.
As a result of these combined tax adjustments, concerns have arisen over a potential increase in beer prices exceeding 50 percent. This apprehension has been voiced by two prominent organizations representing breweries in the Netherlands: Nederlandse Brouwers and CRAFT.
During Prinsjesdag, the outgoing Cabinet unveiled its proposal for an additional excise duty hike as part of the 2024 Tax Plan, reflecting a substantial increase of 16.2 percent.
However, Meint Waterlander, the director of Nederlandse Brouwers, emphasizes that this is just part of the story. An entirely new system for beer excise duties, factoring in the precise alcohol content of each beer, had previously been determined. Waterlander estimates that these changes could translate into an additional cost of approximately 30 cents for a glass of tripel beer enjoyed on a terrace.
The looming tax hike is expected to have a direct and unfavorable impact on the brewing sector, according to CRAFT, an organization representing over 170 independent brewers in the Netherlands. CRAFT Chair Jos Oostendorp lamented the government’s apparent oversight of the breweries’ social security concerns, especially at a time when many establishments are grappling to stay afloat.
The brewing industry intends to present their petition to members of parliament in the Tweede Kamer on October 17, with hopes of rallying more signatures in the days leading up to the presentation. The tax proposals, set to take effect in January, have raised significant concerns within the industry, with many fearing that this increase could pose an existential threat to numerous breweries.
