Waterschap / hoogheemraadschap letter explained in English
Water board. A regional office that looks after dikes, water levels and cleaning waste water. Every household gets a yearly water board tax bill.
Letters you may get
- Aanslag waterschapsbelasting — the yearly water board tax
- Kwijtschelding — the answer to your request to cancel the tax
What to do
- In many areas this tax comes on one bill with your local taxes, from a shared tax office.
- If your income is low, you can ask for kwijtschelding.
- 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.
- kwijtschelding
- Cancellation of a tax or debt because your income is too low to pay it.
- waterschapsbelasting
- Water board tax. It pays for dikes, water levels and cleaning waste water.
Questions
What is the Waterschap / hoogheemraadschap?
Water board. A regional office that looks after dikes, water levels and cleaning waste water. Every household gets a yearly water board tax bill.
How long do I have to answer a letter from the Waterschap / hoogheemraadschap?
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 Waterschap / hoogheemraadschap 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 · Dienst Toeslagen (Belastingdienst/Toeslagen) · CJIB (Centraal Justitieel Incassobureau) · Gemeente · UWV · IND (Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst) · SVB (Sociale Verzekeringsbank) · DUO (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs)