Tax return for 2020

You must complete your 2020 income tax return between 1 March and 1 May 2021. If you have requested or received a postponement, you have more time to submit your tax return. If you find completing your tax return daunting or difficult, follow our handy step-by-step guide. You will see that it is not that difficult.

The information on our website about submitting your tax return applies to people who are liable for tax in the Netherlands. If you have not received an ‘aangiftebrief’ (notice of obligation to submit a tax return), or do not know whether you need to submit a tax return, check with the Tax and Customs Administration (Belastingdienst).

How to complete your tax return

Step 1: Preparing your tax return

It is easier if you first gather the information you need before you start. You will find that much of the information has already been pre-filled for you by the Tax and Customs Administration.

Preparing your tax return

Step 1: Filing your tax return

Which home ownership costs are tax-deductible in Box 1 of your tax return? Are you entitled to an exemption in Box 3?

Filing your tax return

Step 3: After filling your tax return

Have you filed a tax return and do you want to change something? In that case, you must submit these changes to the tax authorities by submitting a new tax return online.

Preparing your tax return

Questions about the tax return

Do I have to declare a payment holiday granted as a result of coronavirus?

The messages you have received from us about the payment holiday for your loan or mortgage explain how to declare this on your tax return. Tip: also check the information about the payment holiday in your Annual Statement.

How do I avoid having to pay interest as well as tax?
You can file your income tax return for 2020 with the Tax and Customs Administration from 1 March 2021. Many taxpayers will probably do this before 1 May 2021, especially if they still need to pay (a lot of) income tax for 2020. By filing their return early, they avoid having to pay at least 4% tax interest to the Tax and Customs Administration in addition to the income tax amount. An alternative is to request a provisional income tax assessment for the amount still payable from the Tax and Customs Administration as soon as possible. If the tax assessment for 2020 is dated later than June 2021, you will also need to pay tax interest.
Many details have already been pre-filled on the tax return, do I need to do anything with those?
The Tax and Customs Administration has already pre-filled many details on your income tax return for 2020. It is important that you check these details carefully. If any changes or additions need to be made, let the Tax and Customs Administration know by filing a new tax return online.
Can I get a discount if I pay my taxes quickly?
You may be entitled to a payment discount from the Tax and Customs Administration in certain cases if you pay the entire income tax amount owed in one go before the first payment date. However, this year, this applies to provisional income tax assessments for 2021 that you can pay in instalments, and not, for instance, to the income tax assessment for 2020, which you receive after filing your tax return for that year.
I have received compensation for an old Euribor mortgage. Do I have to declare this?
The amount repaid to you (without statutory interest) as a result of the Euribor ruling can be found in your Annual Statement next to: ‘*Bedrag A in het persoonlijke aanbod’ (Amount A in the personal offer). This is also the amount that you must declare to the Tax and Customs Administration. The compensation and the statutory interest will have been transferred to you separately. You can find this amount in your bank statement.
How can I check whether I have received a fake message claiming to be from the Tax and Customs Administration?

Fraudsters regularly send letters or messages by WhatsApp, text message or email claiming to be the Tax and Customs Administration. While it appears as though these are sent by the Tax and Customs Administration, this is not always the case. 

If you are unsure whether a message has been sent by the Tax and Customs Administration:

  • Log in to the website of the Tax and Customs Administration:  Mijn Belastingdienst .
  • If the message is shown on the website, you can be certain that the Tax and Customs Administration sent it. 
  • If you wish to transfer funds to the Tax and Customs Administration, always check the bank account number on this list.
  • The Tax and Customs Administration will never ask you to share your personal details or transfer money by email, WhatsApp or text message or via a link. 

Ensure you know the 5 security rules. You can read more about secure banking on this page.