Dienst Toeslagen (Belastingdienst/Toeslagen) letter explained in English
Allowances office. Pays allowances that help with the costs of health insurance, rent and childcare: zorgtoeslag, huurtoeslag, kinderopvangtoeslag and kindgebonden budget.
Letters you may get
- Voorschotbeschikking — how much you get each month as an advance
- Definitieve berekening — the final amount, after the year is over
- Terugvordering — you got too much and must pay it back
- Verzoek om gegevens — they need information, for example about your income or rent
What to do
- A toeslag is an advance based on your expected income. Change your income in Mijn toeslagen as soon as it changes, or you may have to pay a lot back later.
- If you must pay money back, you can usually ask for a payment plan (betalingsregeling).
- 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
- beschikking
- Official decision by an office about you, for example about a benefit or a permit. Also called besluit.
- betalingsregeling
- Payment plan. You pay a debt in monthly parts.
- toeslag
- Allowance. Money from the government to help with costs like health insurance, rent or childcare.
- zorgtoeslag
- Health care allowance. It helps pay your health insurance if your income is low.
- huurtoeslag
- Rent allowance. It helps pay your rent if your income is low.
- terugvordering
- Claim to pay money back, because you got too much.
- voorschot
- Advance payment. Money paid before the final amount is known, for example for energy or a toeslag.
Questions
What is the Dienst Toeslagen (Belastingdienst/Toeslagen)?
Allowances office. Pays allowances that help with the costs of health insurance, rent and childcare: zorgtoeslag, huurtoeslag, kinderopvangtoeslag and kindgebonden budget.
How long do I have to answer a letter from the Dienst Toeslagen (Belastingdienst/Toeslagen)?
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 Dienst Toeslagen (Belastingdienst/Toeslagen) 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
Belastingdienst · CJIB (Centraal Justitieel Incassobureau) · Gemeente · Waterschap / hoogheemraadschap · UWV · IND (Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst) · SVB (Sociale Verzekeringsbank) · DUO (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs)