Local taxes are set to experience an 8.5% increase this year, reaching €13.3 billion, as reported by the Netherlands' national statistics office CBS. The primary contributor to this surge is the

7.5% average rise in property taxes (OZB), anticipated to generate €5.5 billion. These taxes, applicable only to property owners and not tenants, are determined by the property values from the preceding January.

Among major cities, Rotterdam leads with a 13% increase in property taxes, followed by Utrecht with 7%, while Amsterdam and The Hague will see a 5% rise for homeowners.

Waste disposal charges are expected to rise by 6%, and the fee for waste water disposal is set to increase by 7%, primarily attributed to heightened maintenance and management costs. Councils are restricted from profiting from waste and water charges.

Parking fees will witness an 11% increase, contributing an additional €1.3 billion to council finances. Moreover, the cost of new passports and ID cards will rise, prompted by the expiration of the first 10-year passports issued in 2014. Councils anticipate a surge in requests for new passports this year.

Tourist tax is also on the rise, projecting an additional €110 million for councils. Amsterdam stands out with a substantial 47% increase, positioning the city among the most expensive destinations globally.

However, not all taxes are increasing, as the CBS highlights the ongoing phasing out of dog tax in various local council areas. Photo by Mark Ahsmann, Wikimedia commons.