Since 1996 shipping companies subject to Dutch corporation tax can opt for taxation under the tonnage tax regime. Alternatively, favourable depreciation schemes are available. This article provides an update of both tax incentives, focusing on the amendments introduced in 2009 and 2010. Although heavily debated in Dutch Parliament, the tax facilities for shipping companies with seafarers subject to Dutch wage tax and/or social security contributions have not yet been improved. For that reason, the focus of this article is on corporation tax incentives.

In: Shipping finance review 2010/2011, March 2010