On 1 August 2025, the Court of Justice of the European Union issued a decision that might look like a technical skirmish between Italy’s regional tax system and an EU directive on parent–subsidiary taxation. But don’t be fooled, the principles in this case can ripple across borders and affect the way dividends are treated in any Member State, including the Netherlands.

The dispute arose because Italy’s regional tax on production activities (IRAP) forced certain parent companies to include 50% of dividends from EU subsidiaries in their tax base. This directly clashed with Directive 2011/96/EU, which is designed to avoid double taxation of cross-border dividends within the EU. The Court’s answer was clear: if a country has opted for the exemption method (not taxing dividends from subsidiaries, except for a small allowance of up to 5%), it cannot sneak those dividends into any other tax base, no matter what the tax is called.

What’s the Principle Here?

The Court reaffirmed a key rule:

• When a Member State chooses the exemption scheme under Directive 2011/96/EU, it cannot tax more than 5% of dividends from subsidiaries in other Member States.
• This applies to any tax, not just corporate income tax. The name of the tax is irrelevant, what matters is whether dividends end up in its tax base.

This ruling effectively says: “No double taxation in disguise.”

Why This Matters in the Dutch Context

Even if your Dutch micro or small company isn’t operating a bank in Lombardy, the reasoning here affects how Member States interpret the parent–subsidiary directive. For Dutch entrepreneurs with cross-border holdings, three practical points emerge:

1. Consistency Across Taxes
   The Court’s stance means the Dutch tax authority could not, in theory, impose a separate levy on dividends from EU subsidiaries that sidesteps the exemption rules. If they tried, this judgment could be used to challenge it.
2. Defending Your Cash Flow
   Many small entrepreneurs use holding structures for legitimate business reasons, for example, to reinvest profits from one company into another without losing capital to unnecessary taxation. This decision strengthens the shield against creative taxation that eats into those profits.
3. Awareness in Cross-Border Planning
   If you own or plan to own shares in a company in another EU Member State, knowing your rights under Directive 2011/96/EU isn’t just an accountant’s job, it’s strategic risk management.

My Take as a Compliance and Ledger Specialist

From my ledger and compliance desk, this ruling is a reminder of why governance knowledge is a profit tool for entrepreneurs, not just a legal shield. For micro and small companies in the Netherlands, dividend taxation often feels like something only big corporates worry about, until you’re the one with a Belgian subsidiary or an Italian client paying out dividends.

• Know your structures: If you have a holding company in the Netherlands with shares in an EU subsidiary, make sure your dividend flows are mapped and tested against both Dutch and EU rules.
• Challenge overreach early: If a tax office anywhere in the EU tries to grab more than 5% under the exemption regime, this judgment is now your case law reference.
• Document your position: Keep clear records showing why your dividends qualify under the directive, so you can respond quickly if challenged.

Bottom Line for Dutch Entrepreneurs

This is not just about Italy’s IRAP, it’s about a principle that protects cross-border investment from being quietly taxed twice. The Court has closed the door on one creative attempt to bypass the parent–subsidiary directive.

If you’re running a micro or small enterprise in the Netherlands with EU cross-border holdings, consider this a good moment to review your tax strategy, dividend flows, and holding structures. The law is on your side, but only if you know it, plan for it, and can prove your case when needed.