DistantNews
Support us
🇧🇪 Belgium /Economy & Trade

Tremelo resident petitions against sharp rise in property tax

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • A resident of Tremelo, Belgium, has launched a petition against a significant increase in local property taxes.
  • The municipal tax rate is rising by 41%, potentially costing homeowners hundreds of euros more annually.
  • The petition calls for a re-evaluation of the tax hike, financial transparency, and a review of planned investments.

Kurt Raeymaekers, a resident of Tremelo, Belgium, has initiated a petition to protest a substantial increase in the municipality's property tax, known as 'onroerende voorheffing'. The local tax rate is set to jump by 41%, from 567 to 799 'opcentiemen', a move that is expected to burden many homeowners with additional annual costs amounting to hundreds of euros.

With this petition, I hope to convince the municipal government to re-evaluate the tax increase on property tax.

— Kurt RaeymaekersStating the primary goal of his petition.

Raeymaekers aims to persuade the municipal government to reconsider the tax hike. "This petition is not a protest against necessary investments," he stated, "but we want to make it clear that the municipal government cannot get away with everything." He expressed doubt that such a significant tax increase would have been proposed if it had been a topic of discussion before the recent elections, questioning the timing and transparency of the decision.

This petition is not a protest against necessary investments, but we want to make it clear that the municipal government cannot get away with everything.

— Kurt RaeymaekersClarifying the intent behind the petition.

The petition demands not only a re-evaluation of the tax increase but also complete transparency regarding the municipality's financial situation. Raeymaekers is seeking clarity on planned investments and the town's debt levels. Furthermore, he urges the council to explore alternative solutions, such as phasing or postponing non-essential investments to alleviate the tax burden on residents.

I doubt whether the municipal government would have looked the same if such a tax increase had been discussed before the elections.

— Kurt RaeymaekersExpressing skepticism about the timing and transparency of the tax hike.

So far, the petition has garnered approximately 200 signatures, with Raeymaekers actively collecting more in local streets. He has also called on residents to attend the upcoming municipal council meeting at the end of September to voice their concerns. "Many people understand that something needs to be done, but not in this way," Raeymaekers added, highlighting a shared sentiment among residents who acknowledge the need for municipal funding but disagree with the method of increase.

Many people understand that something needs to be done, but not in this way.

— Kurt RaeymaekersReflecting the general sentiment of residents regarding the tax increase.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog