On 7 February 2007, The European Commission announced that a formal investigation procedure under the EC Treaty State aid rules had been opened with regard to the proposed Netherlands group interest box. The opening of an in depth investigation gives all interested third parties the possibility to submit their comments, but does not prejudge the outcome of the enquiry. The proposed group interest box, with an annual budget of EUR 475 million, consists of two measures. First, the balance between group interest received and group interest paid would be taxed at the rate 5% instead of the general rate of...