Nature Conservation Act
Is your home situated on a plot of at least one hectare? Or do you own a property of at least that size? Then your land may qualify as an estate under the Nature Conservation Act, giving you access to significant tax advantages, both now and in the future.
Tax Benefits
The Dutch government values the preservation of natural beauty and aims to prevent estates from being divided and sold due to tax burdens. To support this, the Nature Conservation Act was introduced. Recognised estates under this scheme are eligible for several tax advantages, including:
- Reduced property tax on your home
- Exemption from Box 3 tax on the land
- Exemption from stamp duty
- Lower valuation for gift and inheritance tax purposes
Private limited company ownership
Your private limited company (B.V.) can also own the estate. Under certain conditions, your B.V. may qualify as a Nature Conservation Act entity, which can also bring tax advantages. Together, we'll assess your situation from a fiscal perspective by looking at:
- The B.V.’s assets and whether they are attributed to the shareholders. In that case, the Box 3 and gift/inheritance tax exemptions may apply to them when acquiring shares.
- Whether the B.V. is exempt from corporate income tax, dividend tax, and stamp duty.
- The lower valuation for property tax (WOZ) and municipal levies (OZB).
The greatest advantage of holding an estate through a B.V. or legal entity is the ability to retain ownership for current and future generations, while setting up governance in a way that suits your wishes.
The estate can, for example, be transferred or inherited through the shares of the B.V. This allows the estate to remain intact and prevents complex inheritance situations, such as heirs having to buy each other out.
