Filing your annual tax return - how to prepare

The Belastingdienst automatically pre-fills a lot of data in your annual return (vooraf ingevulde aangifte), for example your income from your employer, mortgage details, bank accounts, WOZ-waarde, and health insurance.

But the responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of this data still rests with you.

The main documents and data you need to file your return:

1. Identification details
   • BSN (burgerservicenummer) — yours and your partner's (if applicable).
   • Access to DigiD — to log in to Mijn Belastingdienst.

1. Income data
   • Jaaropgave from your employer (for the whole year).
   • If you worked for several employers — a separate jaaropgave from each.
   • Income from abroad (if any).
   • Income from freelancing or entrepreneurship (if applicable).

1. Housing data
   • WOZ-waarde (the valuation of your home as of 1 January of the previous year).
   • Mortgage documents: the bank's annual statement of interest paid (jaaropgave hypotheek), and insurance details if it is linked to the mortgage.
   • If you rent — details of your rent payments (to check eligibility for huurtoeslag).

1. Bank and investment data (Box 3)
   • Balances on 1 January and 31 December: bank accounts, savings accounts, investments, cryptocurrency, debts.
   • Details of a second home or other real estate.

1. Deductible expenses (aftrekposten)
   • Medical expenses not covered by insurance (with receipts).
   • Charitable donations (proof of payments).
   • Childcare costs (if not covered by toeslagen).
   • Alimony, if you paid it.
   • Education expenses (for the years when they were still deductible).

1. Insurance data
   • The annual statement from your health insurer (zorgverzekeraar).
   • Details of life insurance or pension savings (if they qualify for a deduction).

1. Relocation or change of status data
   • The date of immigration/emigration (if you are filing an M-form).
   • A change in marital status (marriage, divorce, birth of a child).
   • Your fiscaal partner status.

The tax return is usually filed between 1 March and 1 May.

If you do not manage in time, you can request an extension of the deadline (verlengen van de aangiftetermijn).