Ask the headhunter

R.Z. asks:

A few months ago, I was approached for an interim project management position at a large technology company in the Netherlands. To be able to work there, I had to apply for a highly skilled migrant visa because I had enjoyed a sabbatical in my home country outside Europe. After a few weeks, the visa was granted and I was ready to start my job.

Unfortunately, the secondment agency still needed to arrange a few things, so the start was delayed. It turned out that I was going to work in the Netherlands just for a few months and would then transfer to the head office in France. Because of this, the agency suddenly informed me that I could not claim the 30 percent rule for so-called extraterritorial costs – contrary to earlier communications. Wanting clarity, I applied for the rule with the Tax Authorities myself. And I got it!