Millions of business owners and freelancers will have to update their payment systems from next month when the Dutch tax office switches to a new bank account.
The Belastingdienst is switching from ING to Rabobank after the finance ministry put its banking services out to tender under European rules two years ago. The change also affects payments to the offices handling customs payments and tax credits (dienst toeslagen).
The new account will start receiving payments from May 1, but the old ING account will stay open for a year to give companies and individuals time to update their records.
The handling of the transition has been criticised by some taxpayers and business owners. Research bureau Blauw carried out a survey of 150 people which found that many respondents viewed the switch as unnecessary and irksome.
“The change is expected to come as a surprise to many, given that the current bank and account number have been the same for years,” the agency said.
A minority also expressed concern that the move could increase the risk of fraudulent or phishing emails from criminals exploiting the fact that some people are unaware that the account number is changing.
The new IBAN number is NL04 RABO 0200 1122 44, replacing the previous account NL86 INGB 0002 4455 88.
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