Step-by-Step Guide to Filing Your Dutch Tax Return

Key Takeaways

You file for the previous year: in 2026, you file your 2025 tax return.
Filing opens March 1 and the deadline is May 1 (extensions possible until September 1).
You need a DigiD and your BSN to file online.
The Belastingdienst pre-fills most of your data — but you must check it and add anything missing.
Even if you don't receive an invitation, you may still need to file.

Before You Start: What You Need

DigiD

Your digital identity for Dutch government services. Apply at digid.nl if you don't have one yet. Activation takes about a week.

BSN

Your Burgerservicenummer (citizen service number). You received this when you registered at the gemeente.

Jaaropgave

Annual income statement from your employer. Shows your total salary and tax withheld. Usually available in February.

Bank statements

Balance of all your bank accounts and investments on January 1 of the tax year. Needed for Box 3.

WOZ-waarde

If you own a home, your municipality sends the WOZ value notice in February.

Mortgage statement

Annual statement from your mortgage provider showing interest paid and remaining balance.

Step 1: Log In to Mijn Belastingdienst

Go to mijn.belastingdienst.nl and log in with your DigiD. Navigate to "Inkomstenbelasting" (Income Tax) and select the relevant tax year.

Good to know

The portal is primarily in Dutch, but the Belastingdienst offers some guidance in English. You can also change the language setting in some sections.

Step 2: Check Pre-filled Data

The Belastingdienst pre-fills your return with data from your employer, banks, mortgage provider, and health insurer. You will see:

Your employment income and tax withheld (from your employer's payroll records)
Bank account balances (reported by Dutch banks)
Mortgage details (reported by your mortgage provider)
Health insurance premiums

Important: Review every pre-filled field carefully. The data may be incomplete or incorrect, especially if you:

Changed jobs during the year
Have foreign bank accounts (not automatically reported)
Have investments or crypto assets
Receive income from abroad

Step 3: Add Missing Information

Common items you may need to add manually:

Foreign bank accounts and investments — All worldwide assets must be declared for Box 3
Crypto holdings — The Belastingdienst does not automatically have this data
Foreign income — Salary earned abroad, rental income from foreign property
Deductions — Charitable donations, specific healthcare costs, study costs (limited)
Mortgage interest — If you have a foreign mortgage or if data is incomplete

Step 4: Review Deductions and Credits

Make sure you claim all deductions you are entitled to:

Mortgage interest deduction (hypotheekrenteaftrek) — For your primary home
Charitable donations (giften) — If they exceed the threshold
Specific healthcare costs (specifieke zorgkosten) — Only extraordinary, non-insured costs
Alimony payments — Deductible from your income

Tip

If you have a fiscal partner (married, registered partnership, or cohabiting and meeting certain criteria), you can divide certain deductions and Box 3 assets between you to minimize your combined tax.

Step 5: Submit Your Return

Once you have reviewed everything:

The system shows a summary of your return and the estimated result (refund or amount owed).
Review the summary carefully.
Click "Verzenden" (Send) to submit.
You will receive a confirmation on screen and by email.

Step 6: Wait for the Assessment

After filing, the Belastingdienst processes your return. This typically takes:

1-3 months for straightforward returns
Longer if they have questions or need to verify information

You will receive a definitieve aanslag (final assessment) by letter or in your Mijn Belastingdienst portal. This confirms your tax owed or refund amount.

Warning

If you disagree with the assessment, you have 6 weeks from the date of the assessment to file an objection (bezwaar). Don't ignore assessments you think are wrong.

What If You Owe Tax?

If the assessment shows you owe additional tax, you will receive a payment notice. You can:

Pay the full amount at once
Request a payment arrangement (betalingsregeling) for amounts above a certain threshold
Set up automatic direct debit

What If You Get a Refund?

Refunds are typically paid within a few weeks of the assessment. The money is transferred to the bank account on file with the Belastingdienst.

Do I Have to File?

You are required to file if:

You receive an invitation letter (the blue envelope or digital notification)
You owe additional tax (e.g., you had income from multiple sources)
You want to claim deductions or tax credits
You have foreign income or assets

You may choose to file even if not required — for example, to claim a refund of overpaid tax.

Common Mistakes When Filing

Not reporting foreign assets — All worldwide bank accounts, investments, and property must be declared.
Missing the deadline — Late filing can result in penalties of up to €5,514.
Not checking pre-filled data — Errors in pre-filled data are your responsibility once you submit.
Forgetting about your fiscal partner — Filing together with your partner can result in significant savings.
Not claiming the 30% ruling correctly — Make sure Box 2/Box 3 benefits are applied if you have partial non-resident status.