Dutch police officers go to court over rent allowances

December 08, 2012 8:47 PM

PHILIPSBURG--Nineteen Dutch police officers went to Court on Friday in a bid to settle their dispute with government concerning deduction of taxes on their rent allowances.

 
The police officers were recruited in The Netherlands to reinforce the Police Force of Country St. Maarten. A special package of fringe benefits was part of the labour agreement, including rent allowances.
 
The Tax Inspectorate declared that the officers in question would have to pay income tax on this allowance, which was deducted from the allowance as per May 2012.
 
Chief of Police Peter de Witte had complained to the Tax Inspector about this situation, stating that several colleagues had come into financial problems due to the measure, but to no avail.
 
Depending on their personal situation, the police officers in question lost between NAf. 1,770 and NAf. 7,130 until August 2012. In total, the 19 litigants claimed payment of NAf. 45,735 in arrears.
 
Demanding full payment of their allowances, the police officers were represented in the injunction by attorney-at-law Wim van Sambeek. He said the officers were caught between a rock and hard place.
 
"Their salaries are paid by the Ministry of Justice, while they are taxed by the Tax Department, which falls under the Ministry of Finance," Van Sambeek said.
 
Attorney-at-law Richard Gibson Jr., who represented Country St. Maarten in the injunction, said government did not contest the claim. He said government would comply with the Court's decision in this case.
 
However, Gibson asked Judge Diederik Thierry to reduce the requested US $500 penalty per day in case of noncompliance. The Judge will give his decision on December 14.
 
In this case the police officers were represented by attorney at law Wim van Sambeek of HNB Law on Sint Maarten. The Country St. Maarten was represented by attorney Richard Gibson Jr. of Gibson & Associates on Sint Maarten.
 

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