Tax and Customs Administration intervened so harshly that businesses went bankrupt; now the cabinet is lifting the confidentiality
The responsible state secretaries want to understand how things went wrong and how best to repair the damage. They have pledged full cooperation from the Tax and Customs Administration and the Benefits Agency.
Some of the documents required for the investigation are classified, protected by a statutory (tax) duty of confidentiality. In the interest of the investigation, the cabinet is prepared to lift this confidentiality.
Exceptional cases
This is unusual and only happens in exceptional cases. According to a spokesperson for the Ministry of Finance, it demonstrates how seriously the state secretaries are taking this investigation.
In a letter to the House of Representatives, state secretaries Eelco Eerenberg (Finance) and Sandra Palmen-Schlangen (Benefits Recovery) explain the plan. They also warn that the investigation will be a lengthy process.
Labeled as fraudsters
The investigation was prompted by a petition from the Interest Association for Affected Benefits Entrepreneurs. The group claims that the Tax and Customs Administration and the Benefits Agency also wrongfully treated entrepreneurs as fraudsters. The victims argue that existing support schemes fall short when it comes to helping entrepreneurs.
Read the story here of Angela and Davy from Hattem: ‘We are broken, tired of fighting’
That petition led to a meeting in May between affected entrepreneurs and the state secretaries. The independent Advocate for Taxpayers and Benefit Recipients (BBT) was also present. The cabinet has asked the BBT to map out and analyze the problems together with the affected entrepreneurs.
To conduct a thorough analysis, the independent advocate requires documents from the Tax and Customs Administration and the Benefits Agency.
It will take a long time
The state secretaries warn that this makes for a complex investigation. They expect it will take a long time for the Tax and Customs Administration to gather all the information. This is partly because the Tax and Customs Administration and the Benefits Agency do not have files where all documents for each entrepreneur are kept together.
The affected entrepreneurs must specify which documents are needed, and then hope that the Tax and Customs Administration and the Benefits Agency can locate those documents within their own systems.
The cabinet will decide on a suitable solution for affected entrepreneurs following the investigation.
Paula Bouwer of the Interest Association for Affected Benefit Entrepreneurs is satisfied with the steps the cabinet is taking. "It is the best possible step at this moment. We feel recognition for the suffering that has been inflicted upon entrepreneurs."
The interest group held consultations with the advocate yesterday.
False alarms
"We have agreed to submit files that demonstrate the problems entrepreneurs are facing. In doing so, we want to uncover a pattern. Our view is that the Tax and Customs Administration intervened so harshly based on false alarms that many businesses went bankrupt unnecessarily."
The interest association also expects the investigation to take a long time. "We are therefore asking for help in acute situations. This could be in the form of advance payments. We know of many entrepreneurs who truly have nothing left and have ended up on the street. Those people need help quickly."
Want to know more about the benefits scandal? Also read:
Cry for help from affected entrepreneurs grows louder: 'Unbelievable what is happening'
Hundreds of entrepreneurs are suing the state: 'Tax and Customs Administration destroyed us'
Over 68,000 people have come forward as potential victims of the benefits scandal
.avif)
Latest articles & insights
I will continue to actively share my research through articles, analyses and updates about new developments.
PRESS RELEASE: “EVERYTHING LOST AND NOTHING RESTORED” - EMBARGO UNTIL MAY 7, 5 P.M.
EVERYTHING LOST AND NOTHING RESTORED - GENEROUS RECOVERY AWAYENTREPRENEURS WERE UNFAIRLY TRIPLE HIT AND DUPED BY THE ACTIONS OF THE TAX AUTHORITIES On May 7, 2026, at the initiative of the House of Representatives, Inge van Dijk (CDA), an interview took place at the Ministry of Finance, Korte Voorhout 7 in The Hague. The state secretaries of the Ministry of Finance Sandra Palmen (Allowances) and Eelco Eerenberg (Tax Administration) with Paula Bouwer, Stichting Herstel Onbekend Inrecht (which lost three companies) and representatives of the Interest Group for Duped Entrepreneurs Allowances/FSV/SMEs. Present are Alex de Wilde (who experienced bankruptcy in his employment agency), Gulsah Akpinar (who experienced bankruptcy with her childcare institution) and Joost Allein Richir (who worked as a lawyer at the tax authorities for more than 40 years and is now working for the foundation as a volunteer). According to the EU, entrepreneurs have “the right to the freedom to do business”. They have been deprived of this right.
If only one pen is wrong, you hang
BANKRUPTCY CHILDCARE INSTITUTION & REINTEGRATION AGENCY MOTHER M. AND DAUGHTER L. Mother and daughter have a childcare institution and a reintegration studio in the Municipality of D. After more than 50 years of doing business, the company is going under. An unpaid bill from the Municipality of D. plays a major role. Daughter L. is suspected of fraud with benefits. Meanwhile, an alderman is stalking with text messages. Supervision by GGD and Police will follow. Her reputation as an entrepreneur has now been seriously damaged. Even the Rotary shows her the door. She can't find a job at her level anymore, after her bankruptcy. Her mother can't do it all anymore, there is a great fear that her grandson will be removed from home. Her daughter is also in constant danger.
Entrepreneurs about the tax authorities: more customization in case of different situations
Home” Entrepreneurs about the tax authorities: more customization in case of different situations Entrepreneurs about the tax authorities: more customization in case of different situations Ipsos I&O investigated in the second half of 2023, commissioned by the Inspectorate...
Entrepreneurs have the right and freedom to do business - this is stated in article 16 of the EU Charter
The freedom to conduct a business is a fundamental right that is included in the European Charter of Fundamental Rights. This right is based on the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union, which has recognized the freedom to pursue an economic or commercial activity. The law includes economic or commercial activities and is subject to restrictions that are required by law. This article is crucial for economic growth and prosperity within the European Union.Article 16 - Freedom to Entrepreneurship | European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights
Entrepreneurs have also been wrongly treated as fraudsters
Stichting Herstel Onbekend Inrecht presents a petition to MPs of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Finance on 17 March 2026. The Interest Group for Duped Entrepreneurs Allows/FSV/SMES states that entrepreneurs were treated as fraudsters, not only through the Department of Allowances, but via the SME and Private Sector. The deleted document 'The short slap in the face to the systemic fraudster' from the 2014 CAF weekly letters contained information about how the CAF team operated to deliberately kill businesses - not just childcare institutions. “Pulling the trigger as quickly as possible”, making it “out of business”. Decrease registrations via municipalities. Cooperation with GGDs and other government organizations such as the police, Safe Home and supervisory control bodies.