WILLEMSTAD - A significant proportion of the companies that have benefited from the NOW scheme have had their turnover figures tampered with. This is apparent from research by the Tax Accountants Bureau (SBAB): at least 6 million of the 135 million guilders that have been paid out must be reclaimed.
The abuse of the scheme changed in the past year from 'shifting' the turnover results, for example by postponing invoicing for a month, to 'disclosure'. To be eligible for the NOW scheme, a company must, among other things, have a turnover loss of at least 25 percent, directly related to the corona measures.
The wage subsidy Emergency Measure Bridging for Employment (NOW) was introduced in April last year thanks to liquidity support from the Netherlands. SBAB has evaluated the application of the scheme. Finance Minister Javier Silvania said during a press conference yesterday that he regretted that business owners did not comply with the agreements.
In consultation with officials from the Ministry of Economic Development (MEO) and SBAB, the government is looking for options to adjust the NOW requirements. In that case, it is also important, for example, that when the subsidy is awarded, it is examined how the company stands over a longer period of time.
SBAB director Isebia says that the investigation has shown that there are companies that have received subsidies, while the turnover on balance was not much less.
Isebia says that maybe there was a drop for a few months, but then sales picked up again. However, these companies do not have to repay the subsidy money. "That's something we need to look at in the future." A worrying development is that, now that the crisis is lasting longer, more and more companies have reached the limit of their survival. A requirement for obtaining a wage subsidy is also that there is an intention to continue the business.