
The tax system in the Netherlands is considered one of the more complex in Europe, which is why everyone who worked there should understand the basic principles and deadlines. As a new tax year approaches, it is worth preparing in advance and checking whether you are entitled to a tax refund.
At the beginning of each year (usually in February), employers in the Netherlands issue Jaaropgave forms. These documents contain information about your income and the taxes you paid. You should keep copies of these forms, as they are essential for claiming a tax refund.
If you do not have your Jaaropgave, it is still possible to submit a claim using your BSN number. RTTAX specialists can contact your employer or the Belastingdienst to help obtain missing information.
If you receive a letter from the Belastingdienst asking you to file a tax return, it is important to do so by the deadline stated in the letter. If you fail to submit your tax return on time, you may receive a fine (starting from €200). Even if you were not working at that time, you may still be required to submit a so-called “zero tax return”.
People whose official place of residence is registered in another EU country are treated as non-residents. If more than 90% of your annual income was earned in the Netherlands, you may still be entitled to local tax allowances.
To benefit from these allowances, you must usually provide a certificate of income from your country of residence, confirmed by the local tax authority.
If you had Dutch health insurance (Zorgverzekering), you may be entitled to compensation for part of the insurance costs, called Zorgtoeslag. This application can often be submitted together with your tax return.
You can usually claim a tax refund from the Netherlands for the last 5 years. From the submission of your documents to receiving the payment, it usually takes 3–6 months. In some cases, the process may take longer if additional information is required from the authorities.
The fastest way to start is to fill in the registration form and upload the documents you have. Once received, RTTAX specialists will review your situation and help submit all the necessary applications to the Belastingdienst.