Box 3 in 2026: Notional Returns, Actual Returns and When to Claim

1Box 3 in a nutshell

1.28%notional return on savings, 2026 (provisional)

6.00%notional return on investments and other assets

36%tax rate on the Box 3 income

€59,357tax-free allowance per person

Until 2021
Fixed notional returns
Savers were taxed as if they earned far more than their bank paid.
December 2021
The Christmas ruling (Kerstarrest)
The Supreme Court ruled that taxing a notional return far above the real one breaches property rights.
2023 to 2027
Bridging system
Separate notional rates for savings, investments and debts, with the right to show a lower actual return.
2024
Further rulings
The actual return includes unrealised gains and losses, and costs are not deductible.
2028 (planned)
Tax on actual returns
A new system, still to pass the Senate.

	Counts	Does not count
Income	Interest, dividends, rent from a second home	Your salary or other Box 1 income
Value changes	Realised and unrealised gains and losses during the year	Changes in your own home (Box 1)
Costs	Interest you paid on Box 3 debts is subtracted	Fees, management and transaction costs

Savings account interest: €450
Dividends from ETFs: €1,200
Unrealised gain on ETFs: €8,400
Interest on a margin loan: −€600
Actual return: €9,450
Tax on the actual return (36%, no allowance): €3,402
Tax under the notional method (€50,000 savings, €200,000 investments): €3,470

Your situation

Your investments fell in value this yearVery likely worth claiming: an actual loss means no Box 3 tax.

Mostly savings at a low interest rateOften worth checking: compare your interest with the notional rate.

A good market yearUsually not: the notional method is lower.

1
File your return as usual
With your 1 January balances; the assessment uses the notional method.
2
Submit the actual return
Through the Belastingdienst's form for the counter-evidence scheme (opgaaf werkelijk rendement).
3
Get a reduced assessment
If the actual return is lower, the Box 3 tax is reduced and the difference refunded.

For every account0 of 5 done

Can fiscal partners divide Box 3?

Yes, in any proportion, with two allowances. See fiscal partnership.

Does my own home count?

No, your main home is in Box 1. A second home or rental is in Box 3.

Does Box 3 affect my tax credits?

Yes: Box 3 income counts in your combined income, which can lower your general tax credit and benefits.

What changes in 2028?

The plan is to tax actual returns yearly. Try the 2028 simulator.

This article is based on these official pages. If anything here differs from them, the official page is right.

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