Dutch Tax Deadline Calendar: Every Key Date in the Year

1The tax year in a nutshell

1 January
Box 3 reference date (peildatum)
Your balances on this one day count for the whole year, not your average or the balance when you file.
January and February
Annual statements arrive
Your employer's annual income statement (jaaropgave), bank and mortgage statements for last year.
1 March
The return opens
File online in Mijn Belastingdienst with DigiD. Much of it is pre-filled.
Before 1 April
File early
The Belastingdienst promises a decision before 1 July if you file by 1 April.
1 May
Filing deadline
The deadline for last year's return, unless you have an extension.
1 September
End of the standard extension
If you asked for an extension before 1 May.
3rd Tuesday of September
Prinsjesdag
The government presents next year's tax plan. See tax changes in 2027.
November and December
Year-end planning
Health insurance premiums are announced; time for gifts, pension top-ups and checking next year's provisional assessment.
31 December
Switch health insurer
Cancel your old policy by 31 December; you can take out a new one until 1 February.

Within 4 months of starting work: Your employer applies for the 30% ruling. In time, it applies from your first working day; later, only from the month after the application.
Within 185 days of registering: Most non-EU driving licences must be exchanged for a Dutch one. See driving licence.
In the year you arrive: You file the M-form (migration return), which takes longer to process than the usual return. File as early as possible.
Within 4 months of arrival: Take out Dutch health insurance if you work here; cover is backdated to the start.

	What	Deadline
Apply for benefits (toeslagen) for a year	Healthcare, rent and child budget	Until 1 September of the following year
Change your provisional assessment	When your income or deductions change	Any time during the year
Pass on income changes for benefits	Within 4 weeks of the change	To avoid paying back later

1
Provisional assessment
Often within weeks, based on your return. A refund is usually paid within weeks of it.
2
Final assessment
Usually within three years of the end of the tax year.
3
Objection (bezwaar)
Within six weeks of the date on an assessment if you disagree. See letter templates.
4
Correction later
Missed a deduction? Ask for a correction (ambtshalve vermindering) up to five years back.

Put these in your agenda0 of 5 done

Do I have to file if I did not get a letter?

Not always, but filing is often worth it, for example with mortgage interest, gifts or a job change. A refund is only paid if you file.

I missed 1 May. What now?

File as soon as possible. A first late filing usually gets a reminder before a fine.

Does 1 January really matter that much?

For Box 3, yes: moving money just before or after it changes your tax. See Box 3 actual returns.

How do I file?

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

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