Folkert Idsinga

{{Short description|Dutch tax lawyer and politician (born 1971)}}

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Folkert Idsinga

| office = State Secretary for Tax Affairs and the Tax Administration

| term_start = 2 July 2024

| term_end = 1 November 2024

| predecessor = Marnix van Rij

| successor = Tjebbe van Oostenbruggen

| primeminister = Dick Schoof

| minister = Eelco Heinen

| term_start1 = 27 November 2024

| term_end1 =

| predecessor1 = Tjebbe van Oostenbruggen

| term_start2 = 6 December 2023

| term_end2 = 2 July 2024

| successor2 = Natascha Wingelaar

| birth_name = Folkert Lútsen Idsinga{{Cite web |url = https://www.parlement.com/id/vlebf3zv0wgk/f_l_folkert_idsinga |website = Parlement.com |title = Drs. F.L. (Folkert) Idsinga |language = nl |access-date = 29 May 2021 }}

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1971|12|22|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Bakkeveen, Netherlands

| party = NSC (2023–present)

| alma_mater = University of Groningen

| occupation = Tax lawyer

| otherparty = VVD (until 2023)

| office1 = Member of the House of Representatives

| termstart3 = 31 March 2021

| termend3 = 5 September 2023

| successor3 = Yvonne Bijenhof

}}

Folkert Lútsen Idsinga ({{IPA|nl|ˈfɔlkərt ˈɪtsɪŋɣaː}}; born 22 December 1971) is a Dutch tax lawyer and politician.

He was a partner at law firm Baker McKenzie, and he was elected to the House of Representatives in the 2021 general election on behalf of the conservative liberal People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). Idsinga left the House in September 2023 to switch to New Social Contract (NSC), and he was re-elected in November 2023. He became State Secretary for Tax Affairs and the Tax Administration in the Schoof cabinet in July 2024, but he resigned four months later over questions about his personal finances. Idsinga returned to the House in November 2024.

Early life and career

Idsinga was born in 1971 in the Friesland village Bakkeveen and studied fiscal economics at the University of Groningen, graduating in 1996.{{Cite news |url = https://www.lc.nl/friesland/Ook-Friese-belofte-van-Idsinga-VVD-in-Tweede-Kamer-26742258.html |date = 30 March 2021 |access-date = 29 May 2021 |website = Leeuwarder Courant |language = nl |last = Van Westhreenen |first = Saskia |title = Ook Folkert Idsinga (VVD) doet de belofte in het Fries in Tweede Kamer |trans-title = Folkert Idsinga (VVD) also takes affirmation in Frisian in the House of Representatives }}{{Cite press release |url = https://www.rug.nl/news/2021/04/1-op-de-10-kamerleden-studeerde-in-groningen |date = 8 April 2021 |language = nl |access-date = 29 May 2021 |website = Rijksuniversiteit Groningen |title = 1 op de 10 kamerleden studeerde in Groningen |trans-title = 1 in 10 House members have studied in Groningen }} He worked for the accounting firm Arthur Andersen until he took a job at the law firm Baker & McKenzie in 2002. Idsinga was specialized in value-added tax and became a partner in 2004.{{Cite news |url = https://fd.nl/frontpage/Print/krant/Pagina/Carri_re/455404/je-nek-uitsteken-en-afwachten-o2e1caCRezJA |url-access = subscription |language = nl |access-date = 29 May 2021 |last = Bouma |first = Hilda |website = Het Financieele Dagblad |title = Je nek uitsteken en afwachten |trans-title = Step up and wait |date = 15 June 2006 }}{{Cite news |url = https://fd.nl/frontpage/Print/krant/Pagina/Ondernemen/985609/nog-even-wachten-op-btw-loket-o2e1caCRezJA |access-date = 29 May 2021 |language = nl |website = Het Financieele Dagblad |last = De Jongh |first = Hans |date = 6 December 2004 |title = Nog even wachten op btw-loket |trans-title = Some more waiting for a VAT office |url-access = subscription }} He was promoted to joint managing partner and co-chair of the board of directors of the company's Amsterdam office in July 2015.{{Cite news |title = Personalia |trans-title = Personal details |newspaper = Het Financieele Dagblad |date = 7 July 2015 |language = nl |page = 12 }} Idsinga stopped being managing partner in 2018 but kept working at Baker McKenzie as a partner.{{Cite news |url = https://fd.nl/profiel/1278575/personalia-16-11-2018-o2e1caCRezJA |website = Het Fiancieele Dagblad |date = 16 November 2018 |url-access = subscription |language = nl |access-date = 29 May 2021 |title = Personalia 16-11-2018 |trans-title = Personal details 16-11-2018 }}{{Cite news |url = https://www.parool.nl/amsterdam/twaalf-amsterdammers-maken-entree-in-tweede-kamer~b9fd9b8f/ |website = Het Parool |language = nl |access-date = 29 May 2021 |date = 18 March 2021 |last1 = Koops |first1 = Ruben |last2 = Meijs |first2 = Floor |title = Twaalf Amsterdammers maken entree in Tweede Kamer |trans-title = Twelve Amsterdam residents enter House of Representatives }}

Politics

Idsinga ran for member of parliament in the 2021 general election as the VVD's 33rd candidate. He was elected, receiving 483 preference votes, and was sworn into the House of Representatives on 31 March.{{Cite web |url = https://www.kiesraad.nl/adviezen-en-publicaties/proces-verbalen/2021/03/26/uitslag-tweede-kamerverkiezing-17-maart-2021 |format = PDF |title = Uitslag Tweede Kamerverkiezing 17 maart 2021 Proces-verbaal |trans-title = Results general election 17 March 2021 Report |pages = 14 and 157 |access-date = 29 May 2021 |date = 29 March 2021 |website = Kiesraad |language = nl }} His portfolio included tax affairs, financial relations between the national government and decentralized governments, export credit insurance and facilities, Holland Casino, the Dutch Lottery, currency, and Domains Movable Property.{{Cite web |url = https://www.vvd.nl/profielen/folkert-idsinga/ |title = Folkert Idsinga |language = nl |website = VVD |access-date = 29 May 2021 |archive-date = 14 April 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210414050618/https://www.vvd.nl/profielen/folkert-idsinga/ |url-status = dead }} Idsinga left the House on 5 September 2023. Following his November 2023 re-election on the party list of NSC, he served as the party's spokesperson for taxation and benefits.{{Cite web |url = https://storage.googleapis.com/groep-pieter-website/Overzicht-Woordvoerderschappen-fractie-NSC.pdf |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240117201041/https://storage.googleapis.com/groep-pieter-website/Overzicht-Woordvoerderschappen-fractie-NSC.pdf |archive-date = 17 January 2024 |language = nl |website = New Social Contract |title = Woordvoerderschappen Nieuw Sociaal Contract |trans-title = New Social Contract spokespersonships |via = Wayback Machine }}

After the PVV, VVD, NSC, and BBB formed the Schoof cabinet, Idsinga was sworn in as State Secretary for Tax Affairs and the Tax Administration on 2 July 2024.{{Cite news |url = https://nos.nl/collectie/13962/artikel/2524397-zuidas-accountant-folkert-idsinga-wordt-nsc-staatssecretaris-belastingzaken |date = 13 June 2024 |access-date = 13 June 2024 |language = nl |website = NOS |title = Zuidas-accountant Folkert Idsinga wordt NSC-staatssecretaris belastingzaken |trans-title = Zuidas accountant Folkert Idsinga will be NSC's tax affairs state secretary }}{{Cite news |url = https://nos.nl/collectie/13962/artikel/2527025-ministers-en-staatssecretarissen-kabinet-schoof-beedigd |date = 2 July 2024 |access-date = 2 July 2024 |language = nl |website = NOS |title = Ministers en staatssecretarissen kabinet-Schoof beëdigd |trans-title = Ministers and state secretaries of Schoof cabinet sworn in }} His portfolio included taxation, financial relations with lower governments, state ownership of Holland Casino and {{ill|Nederlandse Loterij|nl}}, and Domains Movable Property.{{Cite web |url = https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/regering/bewindspersonen/folkert-idsinga |website = Government of the Netherlands |language = nl |access-date = 6 July 2024 |title = Folkert Idsinga }} Idsinga was tasked with steering the 2025 Tax Plan, part of the overall budget, through the parliament, including the Senate where the governing coalition lacked a majority. The plan included a sales tax increase on hotel stays, sports, culture, books, and newspapers from 9% to 21%. Opposition parties in the Senate demanded in early October 2024 that this measure would be separated from the Tax Plan, allowing parties to vote differently on the two issues, but Idsinga refused to comply.{{Cite news |url = https://fd.nl/politiek/1533568/kabinet-weigert-btw-verhoging-in-apart-wetsvoorstel-te-gieten |url-access = subscription |date = 11 October 2024 |last1 = Berentsen |first1 = Laurens |last2 = Wolzak |first2 = Martine |access-date = 16 October 2024 |language = nl |website = Het Financieele Dagblad |title = Kabinet negeert btw-motie Eerste Kamer: 'Ongekend' |trans-title = Cabinet ignores Senate sales tax motion: 'Unheard of' }}{{Cite news |url = https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2024/12/06/dossier-btw-hoe-het-kabinet-blijft-worstelen-om-de-senaat-mee-te-krijgen-a4875822 |url-access = subscription |date = 6 December 2024 |last = De Haan |first = Marko |access-date = 7 December 2024 |language = nl |website = NRC |title = Dossier btw: hoe het kabinet blijft worstelen om de senaat mee te krijgen |trans-title = Sales tax file: How the cabinet still struggles to get Senate support }}

In October 2024, PVV leader Geert Wilders joined opposition parties in demanding transparency about Idsinga's retirement savings, which included business interests and could create conflicts of interest. His savings, valued at over €6 million in 2023, were managed by a foundation for the duration of his term, and Idsinga refused to provide more visibility, citing his privacy.{{Cite news |url = https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2024/10/30/waarin-belegde-staatssecretaris-idsinga-fiscaliteit-zijn-pensioen-tweede-kamer-wil-meer-helderheid-wegens-mogelijke-belangenverstrengeling-a4871243 |url-access = subscription |date = 30 October 2024 |last = De Haan |first = Marko |access-date = 30 October 2024 |language = nl |website = NRC |title = Waarin belegde staatssecretaris Idsinga (Fiscaliteit) zijn pensioen? Tweede Kamer wil meer helderheid wegens mogelijke belangenverstrengeling |trans-title = In what companies did State Secretary Idsinga (taxation) invest his retirement savings? House of Representatives wants more visibility due to potential conflicts of interest }} The NOS reported that he was eligible for major tax incentives for a 2019 investment in an algaculture company, which he had disclosed, by categorizing himself as an entrepreneur rather than an investor. Idsinga responded that the Tax Administration had ruled that his arrangement was compliant.{{Cite news |url = https://nos.nl/artikel/2542890-vraagtekens-bij-belastingconstructie-van-afgetreden-staatssecretaris-idsinga |date = 1 November 2024 |access-date = 2 November 2024 |language = nl |website = NOS |last1 = Kleinnijenhuis |first1 = Jan |last2 = Spekschoor |first2 = Thomas |title = Vraagtekens bij belastingconstructie van afgetreden staatssecretaris Idsinga |trans-title = Questions about tax construction of resigned State Secretary Idsinga }} On 1 November, Idsinga resigned as state secretary, declaring that he perceived a lack of trust from the House. He continued to deny wrongdoing, and he provided an overview of his financial holdings days later as a private citizen.{{Cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/netherlands-government-wilders-minister-resignation-folkert-idsinga-a62bdcb4f0761d295ee56c0728058970 |title=Dutch junior finance minister quits after questions over his personal investments |work=Associated Press |date=1 November 2024 |access-date=2 November 2024 |last=Corder |first=Mike}} His portfolio included a vacation home, bonds, minority stakes, and shares in mostly foreign companies.{{Cite news |url = https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2024/11/03/afgetreden-staatssecretaris-idsinga-maakt-alsnog-zijn-beleggingen-openbaar-a4871646 |url-access = subscription |date = 3 November 2024 |last1 = Van de Ven |first1 = Liam |last2 = König |first2 = Eppo |access-date = 4 November 2024 |language = nl |website = NRC |title = Afgetreden staatssecretaris Idsinga maakt alsnog zijn beleggingen openbaar |trans-title = Resigned State Secretary Idsinga still releases his holdings }} Idsinga was succeeded by Tjebbe van Oostenbruggen two weeks later, and finance minister Eelco Heinen took over the defense of the 2025 Tax Plan.{{Cite news |url = https://www.ad.nl/politiek/s-ochtends-beedigd-vanavond-al-ontslag-bijzondere-eerste-dag-voor-nieuwe-staatssecretaris~a909ccbb/ |last = Verweij |first = Elodie |website = Algemeen Dagblad |access-date = 15 November 2024 |language = nl |title = 's Ochtends beëdigd, vanavond al ontslag? Bijzondere eerste dag voor nieuwe staatssecretaris |trans-title = Sworn in in the morning, resigning tonight? Special first day for new state secretary |date = 15 November 2024 }}

Idsinga returned to the House on 27 November 2024, filling the vacancy left by Van Oostenbruggen. He had been encouraged to reenter parliament by the parliamentary leader, Pieter Omtzigt, and his acting counterpart, Nicolien van Vroonhoven.{{Cite news |url = https://www.ad.nl/politiek/opgestapte-staatssecretaris-folkert-idsinga-keert-terug-in-tweede-kamer-ik-vind-het-heel-moeilijk~a6ca56f8/ |date = 19 November 2024 |last = Verweij |first = Elodie |access-date = 24 November 2024 |language = nl |website = Algemeen Dagblad |title = Opgestapte staatssecretaris Folkert Idsinga keert terug in Tweede Kamer: 'Ik vind het heel moeilijk' |trans-title = Resigned state secretary Folkert Idsinga returns to the House of Representatives: 'It is very difficult for me' }}{{Cite press release |url = https://www.tweedekamer.nl/nieuws/kamernieuws/beediging-folkert-idsinga |url-access = subscription |date = 27 November 2024 |access-date = 27 November 2024 |language = nl |website = House of Representatives |title = Beëdiging Folkert Idsinga |trans-title = Swearing in of Folkert Idsinga }} Idsinga's portfolio contains finances, financial markets, and economic affairs.{{Cite web |url = https://partijnieuwsociaalcontract.nl/tweede-kamerfractie |website = New Social Contract |language = nl |access-date = 4 February 2025 |title = Tweede Kamerfractie |trans-title = House of Representatives group }}

= House committee assignments =

== 2021–2023 term ==

Committee for Defence
Committee for Digital Affairs
Committee for Finance
Public Expenditure committee
Contact group Germany
Contact group United Kingdom
Contact group United States

== 2023–present term ==

Committee for Kingdom Relations
Committee for Economic Affairs
Committee for Digital Affairs
Committee for Finance
Public Expenditure committee

Personal life

While a member of parliament, Idsinga resided in the Dutch capital Amsterdam.{{Cite web |url = https://www.houseofrepresentatives.nl/members_of_parliament/members_of_parliament/idsinga-fl-vvd |website = Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal |access-date = 28 December 2024 |title = Folkert Idsinga }}

Electoral history

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" border=2 cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 style="border: 1px #aaa solid; font-size: 90%; text-align:center;" \|+ {{sronly\|Electoral history of Folkert Idsinga}} ! scope="col" rowspan=2 \|Year ! scope="col" rowspan=2 \|Body ! scope="col" colspan=2 rowspan=2 \|Party ! scope="col" rowspan=2 \|{{abbr\|2=Position on the party list\|Pos.}} ! scope="col" rowspan=2 \|Votes ! scope="colgroup" colspan=2 \|Result ! scope="col" rowspan=2 class="unsortable" \|{{abbr\|2=References\|Ref}}.
scope="col" \|Party seats ! scope="col" \|Individual
scope="row" \| 2021 \| House of Representatives \| style="background-color:{{party color\|People's Party for Freedom and Democracy}};"\| \| People's Party for Freedom and Democracy \| style=text-align:right \| 33 \| style=text-align:right \| 483 \| style=text-align:right \| 34 \| {{yes2\|Won}} \| {{Cite web \|url = https://www.kiesraad.nl/adviezen-en-publicaties/proces-verbalen/2021/03/26/uitslag-tweede-kamerverkiezing-17-maart-2021 \|website = Dutch Electoral Council \|language = nl \|access-date = 21 December 2023 \|format = PDF \|date = 29 March 2021 \|title = Proces-verbaal verkiezingsuitslag Tweede Kamer 2021 \|trans-title = Report of the election results House of Representatives 2021 \|pages = 14–15 }}
scope="row" \| 2023 \| House of Representatives \| style="background-color:{{party color\|New Social Contract}};"\| \| New Social Contract \| style=text-align:right \| 13 \| style=text-align:right \| 504 \| style=text-align:right \| 20 \| {{yes2\|Won}} \| {{Cite web \|url = https://www.kiesraad.nl/adviezen-en-publicaties/proces-verbalen/2023/12/04/proces-verbaal-van-de-uitslag-van-de-tweede-kamerverkiezing-2023 \|website = Dutch Electoral Council \|language = nl \|access-date = 21 December 2023 \|format = PDF \|date = 4 December 2023 \|title = Proces-verbaal van de uitslag van de verkiezing van de Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal 2023 d.d. 4 december 2023 \|trans-title = Report of the results of the election of the House of Representatives on 4 December 2023 \|pages = 185–186 }}

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" border=2 cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 style="border: 1px #aaa solid; font-size: 90%; text-align:center;"

|+ {{sronly|Electoral history of Folkert Idsinga}}

! scope="col" rowspan=2 |Year

! scope="col" rowspan=2 |Body

! scope="col" colspan=2 rowspan=2 |Party

! scope="col" rowspan=2 |{{abbr|2=Position on the party list|Pos.}}

! scope="col" rowspan=2 |Votes

! scope="colgroup" colspan=2 |Result

! scope="col" rowspan=2 class="unsortable" |{{abbr|2=References|Ref}}.

scope="col" |Party seats

! scope="col" |Individual

scope="row" | 2021

| House of Representatives

| style="background-color:{{party color|People's Party for Freedom and Democracy}};"|

| People's Party for Freedom and Democracy

| style=text-align:right | 33

| style=text-align:right | 483

| style=text-align:right | 34

| {{yes2|Won}}

| {{Cite web |url = https://www.kiesraad.nl/adviezen-en-publicaties/proces-verbalen/2021/03/26/uitslag-tweede-kamerverkiezing-17-maart-2021 |website = Dutch Electoral Council |language = nl |access-date = 21 December 2023 |format = PDF |date = 29 March 2021 |title = Proces-verbaal verkiezingsuitslag Tweede Kamer 2021 |trans-title = Report of the election results House of Representatives 2021 |pages = 14–15 }}

scope="row" | 2023

| House of Representatives

| style="background-color:{{party color|New Social Contract}};"|

| New Social Contract

| style=text-align:right | 13

| style=text-align:right | 504

| style=text-align:right | 20

| {{yes2|Won}}

| {{Cite web |url = https://www.kiesraad.nl/adviezen-en-publicaties/proces-verbalen/2023/12/04/proces-verbaal-van-de-uitslag-van-de-tweede-kamerverkiezing-2023 |website = Dutch Electoral Council |language = nl |access-date = 21 December 2023 |format = PDF |date = 4 December 2023 |title = Proces-verbaal van de uitslag van de verkiezing van de Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal 2023 d.d. 4 december 2023 |trans-title = Report of the results of the election of the House of Representatives on 4 December 2023 |pages = 185–186 }}

References

External links

[https://www.houseofrepresentatives.nl/members_of_parliament/members_of_parliament/idsinga-fl-nieuw-sociaal-contract-0 Official House of Representatives page]
[https://partijnieuwsociaalcontract.nl/tweede-kamerfractie/folkert-idsinga-1 New Social Contract page]

{{s-ttl|title=State Secretary for Tax Affairs and the Tax Administration|years=2024}}

{{Members of the House of Representatives of the Netherlands, 2021–2023}}

{{Members of the House of Representatives of the Netherlands, 2023–present}}

Category:1971 births

Category:Dutch fiscal jurists

Category:People's Party for Freedom and Democracy politicians

Category:Lawyers from Amsterdam

Category:Living people

Category:Dutch MPs 2021–2023

Category:Dutch MPs 2023–

Category:People associated with Baker McKenzie

Category:People from Opsterland

Category:University of Groningen alumni

Category:Politicians from Amsterdam

Category:New Social Contract politicians

Category:State secretaries for finance of the Netherlands