A conference hall with panoramic views of the Rotterdam skyline served as the backdrop for the annual Tax Congress on the evening of Thursday, 22 May. The event was organised by R.F.V. Christiaanse-Taxateur, the study association for students of Fiscal Economics and Tax Law at Erasmus University Rotterdam. On the 23rd floor of the Millennium Tower, over one hundred students and invited guests gathered to discuss a topic that has fuelled public debate for years: wealth inequality.
The congress, titled The wealth gap in the Netherlands: is it time for redistribution?, offered a diverse programme featuring speakers from the fields of philosophy, policy-making, and tax practice. What made this edition particularly special was the attendance of the State Secretary for Taxation, the Tax and Customs Administration, Tjebbe van Oostenbruggen.
A topic that both unites and divides
The congress committee’s choice to focus on ‘wealth inequality’ was no coincidence. “You want a topic that everyone has an opinion on,” explained Dominic Verschoor, Treasurer of R.F.V. Christiaanse-Taxateur (CT) this year and responsible for organising the congress. “We wanted something that appeals to a wide audience, is accessible, and socially relevant. From first-year students currently taking Introduction to Tax Law to master’s students preparing to defend their theses: everyone should be able to engage.”
According to Dominic, the topic’s relevance is beyond doubt. “Wealth inequality touches on fundamental questions: about justice, inequality of opportunity, and solidarity. It provokes strong reactions, precisely because it is such a sensitive issue.”
The preparatory phase
Sigrid Hemels, Professor of Tax Law at Erasmus School of Law, chaired the evening. “Without going into detail: Professor Hemels was truly a pillar of support,” said Dominic. “She offered thoughtful input, has an incredible amount of experience, and is genuinely committed.”
Together with Professor Hemels, the congress committee brainstormed the programme’s content and the speaker line-up. “In our first session with her, we had a deep discussion: what topics are currently resonating, and which speakers can offer meaningful insights? Thanks to her network, things progressed quickly.”
Exchange of insights
The programme had something for everyone, with contributions from philosopher Dick Timmer (TU Dortmund), policy-maker Marjolein Boterman (Ministry of Finance and CT alumna), tax advisor Rudolf Janssen (Deloitte), and, as the crowning touch, State Secretary Van Oostenbruggen. “The inclusion of a philosopher was surprisingly enriching last year, and we wanted to repeat that this time,” said Dominic.
The evening had an open atmosphere, supported by an important agreement made early on: the application of the Chatham House Rule, announced by chair Hemels. “A small gesture with a big impact,” said Dominic. “Everyone knew they could speak freely, without fear of being quoted later.”
The absolute highlight? The arrival of State Secretary Tjebbe van Oostenbruggen. For many students present, it was a unique opportunity to engage directly with a government official.
“It was incredibly special to welcome him in such an informal way,” Dominic shared. “Before the congress, we dined with the other speakers, which was already a great experience. But the moment I walked downstairs with a committee member to greet the State Secretary as his car pulled up — that felt truly special. I thought: mission accomplished.”
Looking back on a successful evening
The evening remained lively long after the official programme ended. “The atmosphere was fantastic,” Dominic recalled. There was strong chemistry between the speakers, and the feedback was unanimously positive. “Speakers complimented us on the organisation, and we received wonderful feedback from attendees. The State Secretary also stayed for drinks and said afterwards that he was glad he had attended, which was fantastic to hear.”
Finally, Dominic expressed his gratitude: “We especially want to thank our speakers: Dick Timmer, Marjolein Boterman, Rudolf Janssen, Tjebbe van Oostenbruggen, and our chair for the evening, Sigrid Hemels. Their expertise, openness, and engagement made this event a great success.”
This congress was made possible thanks to the valued support of main sponsor Deloitte, as well as the involvement of the following five firms: Bird & Bird, Duijd Fiscalisten, Londen & Van Holland, HLB Blömer, and HBN Law & Tax.
- More information
Click here to learn more about study association R.F.V. Christiaanse-Taxateur.
