Most people get money back after filing. How much depends on your deductions, mortgage and tax credits; homeowners and pensioners often leave money on the table.
When do you get a tax refund?
You get a tax refund if in the past year you paid more tax than you actually owed. This happens because your employer, pension fund or the SVB withholds an estimated amount of payroll tax each month. And that estimate is rarely exactly right.
Reasons for a refund include:
- Mortgage interest deduction that has not yet been settled
- Healthcare costs above the threshold
- Tax credits that have not (fully) been applied
- Donations to charities
- Less income than expected (e.g. unemployment, illness)
- Elderly tax credit or single person elderly tax credit
How much tax refund can you expect?
How much you get back varies a lot from person to person: it depends on your income, your deductions and the tax already withheld. For homeowners with a mortgage the amount is often higher, thanks to the mortgage interest deduction. For retirees with healthcare costs or unused tax credits it can also add up substantially.
| Situation | Indicative refund |
|---|---|
| Retiree, no special circumstances | €0 – €400 |
| Retiree + high healthcare costs | €400 – €1,200 |
| Single retiree (elderly tax credit) | €300 – €800 |
| First-time buyer with first home (mortgage interest deduction) | €1,000 – €4,000 |
| Homeowner + preliminary tax refund already received | €0 – €500 (settled) |
* Indicative. Your actual refund depends on income, deductions and tax already withheld.
When does the money land in your account?
The speed depends on when you file:
- Filed before 1 April, The Belastingdienst (Dutch tax authority) guarantees payment before 1 July. In practice it often arrives within 2–4 weeks.
- Filed after 1 April. The Belastingdienst has 3 months to issue an assessment. Payment follows after that.
- Filed on request (after extension). Until 1 September, or 1 May of the following year (via an accountant). Payment follows after processing.
Tip: File before 1 April and you'll almost certainly receive your refund before the summer holidays. Wait until the last moment and it can take until October or later.
How do you get more tax back?
Many people leave deductions on the table. The most commonly missed:
- Healthcare costs. Costs for the dentist, physiotherapist, prescribed medicines, aids and travel to the doctor or hospital are deductible if they exceed the threshold. Many people don't know that diet costs, adjustments to a car or bicycle and a fixed amount for extra clothing and bedding are also deductible. Glasses or lenses are not.
- Donations. Donations to recognised charities (ANBI) are deductible above the threshold. A periodic donation via a notarial deed is even fully deductible.
- Tax credits, Elderly tax credit, employment tax credit or single person elderly tax credit that has not been fully settled.
- Imputed rental value (eigenwoningforfait) calculated correctly. Sometimes this is reported too high or too low.
- Residual debt from previous home. If you have a residual debt after selling your home, the interest on it is still deductible to a limited extent.
Have your tax return done by an expert
A tax expert who knows your situation often finds deductions you would overlook yourself. We help seniors and homeowners in Zaanstad with a correct and complete tax return. So you can be sure you get back everything you are entitled to.
Know someone who pays too much tax? Share this article.
💬 Share via WhatsApp