Taxes for freelancers in the Netherlands  

What are the three tax boxes in the Netherlands? 

Income taxes are divided into three categories, so-called boxes. It is possible that you need to pay tax in all three boxes, but it is also possible that you need to pay tax in only one box. It depends on the type(s) of income you have. Each box has its own rate. 

These are the three boxes: 

Box 1: income tax for work and home ownership

This includes: 

• Salary, tips, business profit
• Benefit, pension, annuities, and maintenance payments 
• Income from abroad 
• Income earned as a freelancer, childminder, artist, or professional athlete.

The tax percentage in box 1 is until a taxable income of €69.399, 37,07%. Above €69.399, you need to pay 49,50% tax. 

Income taxes in box 1 are paid over your taxable income. Your income can be reduced with different deductions, for example deductions especially for starters or small businesses. Since these deductions are lowering your income and therefore the amount of tax you need to pay, it is highly recommended to have a close look at all possible deductions. This can be complex, so we highly recommend getting advice from professional bookkeepers or to completely outsource your income tax returns. 

An example:  

Let’s say, your taxable income is €75.000 in 2022. 

For the first €69.399, you need to pay 37,07%. That will be €25.726. 

For the €5601 (75.000 - 69399) that is left, you need to pay 49,50%. That will be €2772. 

The total amount of tax due is €28.498. 

This is of course a lot of money, but you can spread the payment of the income taxes over the year. This will be explained later in this blog. 

Note: these percentages change every year (slightly) and differ for people who are already retired, or are going to retire in that particular year. For example: In 2023, you will pay a reduced rate of 36.93% on income up to €73,031. All workers have a general tax credit of €3,070 (€2,888 in 2022).

Box 2: financial interest in a company 

If you have a substantial interest of at least 5% directly or indirectly in another business (or together with your tax partner), you need to pay tax in box 2. 

In 2023, the tax percentage for box 2 is 26,90%. 

Box 3: savings and investments 

The first €50.000 (or €100.000 together with your tax partner) of savings and investments is tax free. So, if you have €55.000 in box 3, you only need to pay tax for €5.000. In 2022, the percentage is 31%. This means that you need to pay €1550 tax for €55.000 in savings & investments (31% over €5.000).

National insurance premium

Besides income taxes there is also a national insurance premium (premie volksverzekeringen). Freelancers need to pay this through their income tax declaration, and it will be calculated with a percentage of your taxable income. The percentage you have to pay depends on, for example, your age and changes every year slightly. 

Freelancers and self-employed professionals in the Netherlands pay national insurance contributions through their income tax. All residents in the Netherlands need to pay a premium of around €1,300 per year for basic health insurance. Entrepreneurs and freelancers also need to pay an income-related contribution.

This sounds like a lot of money and difficulties, right? Keep on reading, we have some good news incoming! 

How do you make use of the provisional assessment?

A provisional assessment is nothing more than a deposit on your income tax. It allows the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration to collect part of the income tax in advance. 

You can request a provisional assessment for your income tax returns, this will be sent in December or January for the new year. The provisional assessment consists of the estimated income taxes and national insurance premium you need to pay that year. You will then pay a part of your income taxes and national insurance premium every month, and therefore you don’t have to pay everything at once at the end of the year. 

Keep in mind that this is only a provisional assessment and that it can be changed during the year, for example because of the purchase of a house (keep in mind that you have to declare this to the Belastingdienst yourself) or if your yearly income is higher or lower than expected. In March-April you need to do your income tax declaration for the year before. This will result in a final assessment which states the definitive amount of taxes you need to pay. If the definitive assessment differs from the provisional assessment, you need to pay either more taxes or you will receive too much paid taxes back. 

Do you think the taxes in the Netherlands are too complicated? 

If yes, we understand that. Therefore the app Tellow helps expats, freelancers, and self-employed in the Netherlands with their taxes and the rest of their bookkeeping. With Tellow software you can, in one easy app, do your invoices, quotes, VAT declaration, and more. Now the app also includes a free bankaccount for freelancers that actually does your taxes automatically for you! You can also completely outsource your income tax returns to our bookkeepers.

The app is free to start with and website are available in English, and, if you still have questions, our English speaking customer service team and bookkeepers will help you out. Make sure you check it out!