Belastingdienst letter explained in English
Tax office. The national tax office. It handles income tax, VAT for the self-employed and car tax.
Letters you may get
- Aanslag inkomstenbelasting — the result of your income tax return
- Voorlopige aanslag — an advance tax bill or refund, often paid monthly
- Uitnodiging aangifte doen — a request to file your tax return, usually by 1 May
- Aanmaning — you paid tax late
What to do
- You can object (bezwaar) within 6 weeks after the date on the letter. You can do this online in Mijn Belastingdienst.
- Can’t pay on time? Ask for a payment plan (betalingsregeling) before the payment date.
- Find the deadline. Look for “termijn”, “uiterlijk”, “binnen”.
- Write the reference number from the letter on everything you send back, and keep copies.
- If you disagree with a decision, object in writing before the deadline (“bezwaar”, “beroep”, “verzet”). See the template.
Words you may see
- aanslag
- Tax assessment. A letter that says how much tax you must pay or get back.
- voorlopige aanslag
- Provisional tax assessment. An advance tax bill or refund based on your expected income.
- bezwaar
- Objection. A letter to the office saying its decision is wrong, asking it to look again.
- aanmaning
- Formal payment demand. You paid late, and costs are often added.
- betalingsregeling
- Payment plan. You pay a debt in monthly parts.
Questions
What is the Belastingdienst?
Tax office. The national tax office. It handles income tax, VAT for the self-employed and car tax.
How long do I have to answer a letter from the Belastingdienst?
It depends on the letter. Look for words like “termijn”, “uiterlijk”, “binnen” — they mark the deadline. In the Netherlands, the time to object usually starts the day after the date on the letter (dagtekening), not the day it arrives. So count from the date on the letter. To object, the letter usually names the way to do it (“bezwaar”, “beroep”, “verzet”).
Can I read a Belastingdienst letter in English?
Yes. Take a photo of the letter with Briefly. It explains the letter in plain English, finds the deadline and the amount, and gives you ready-made replies in Dutch. Your letter never leaves your device.
Other offices in the Netherlands
Dienst Toeslagen (Belastingdienst/Toeslagen) · CJIB (Centraal Justitieel Incassobureau) · Gemeente · Waterschap / hoogheemraadschap · UWV · IND (Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst) · SVB (Sociale Verzekeringsbank) · DUO (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs)