Dutch Finance Minister, Gerrit Zalm this week complained that many companies in Holland are paying too much tax to the government, an unusual stance for a man in his position.

Writing in his Finance Ministry weblog on Monday, Mr Zalm revealed that as a result of the 5% interest rate paid by the Dutch government on any excess company taxes which are subsequently repaid, many firms willingly accept tax estimates that are too high.

"If it turns out they need the money after all, they just submit a new estimate," he explained according to Reuters, which offered a transalation of the weblog entry.

The Dutch Finance Minister continued:

"The state now needs to borrow less, but the 3.25% that we save this way doesn't outweigh the 5% we have to pay."