Did you work in the Netherlands in 2026? π³π±
Good news β there’s a real chance a tax refund is waiting for you π°
You’ll file your 2026 tax return at the start of 2027. But it pays to prepare right now β so in January you’re not digging through drawers, inboxes and old addresses π
Here’s a practical checklist: what to collect, what to ask for and what to watch out for π
The most important document: Jaaropgave 2026 from ALL your employers π
A jaaropgave is your annual income statement. Without it, your tax return can’t be done correctly.
It shows, among other things:
- your total gross income for 2026
- the tax withheld (loonheffing)
- the tax credit applied (heffingskorting)
- your employment period and employer details
π Important: you need a jaaropgave from every employer and every agency you worked for in 2026. Even if it was only 2 weeks.
Missing even one jaaropgave = income under-reported. That’s a fast track to a correction and paying money back to the tax office π¬
When will you get your jaaropgave 2026?
Employers and agencies usually issue it in January or February 2027. Most often:
- in the employment agency’s app or portal
- by email as a PDF
- by post to the address your employer has on file
π‘ Tip: check now that you still have access to each agency’s portal and that your employer has your current address and email. Access often expires after you change jobs.
Jaaropgave 2026 β what’s what? Check it interactively π
The jaaropgave is in Dutch, but don’t panic π Click any field on the sample document to see the translation and an explanation. Fields with an orange dot are the most important for your tax return.
The company or agency you worked for. Each employer = a separate jaaropgave.
The employer’s registration number at the Belastingdienst. It identifies the employer in your tax return.
Your name. Check that it’s spelled correctly.
Your Dutch tax number. You can’t file a tax return without it.
β Key field for your tax returnFrom when until when you worked for this employer in 2026. Important for non-residents and tax credits.
β Key field for your tax returnThe amount before deductions. This is NOT the amount that goes in your tax return β that’s βLoon voor de loonheffingβ.
The most important amount! This is the income that goes into your tax return.
β Key field for your tax returnTax and contributions your employer has already paid. This determines how much you can get back.
β Key field for your tax returnβJaβ means your employer applied the tax credit. If several employers applied it at the same time, you may have to pay back β that’s why this field matters.
β Key field for your tax returnPart of the labour tax credit (arbeidskorting) your employer has already included in your pay.
The basis for the healthcare insurance contribution. Usually equal or close to your taxable wages.
Paid by your employer, not deducted from your salary. Usually doesn’t affect your refund.
Your share of the pension contribution. Already deducted from your taxable wages.
π‘ The layout of a jaaropgave differs per employer, but the field names are almost always the same.
Received benefits from UWV? You also need the UWV jaaropgave π₯
If you received money from UWV in 2026, for example:
- unemployment benefit (WW),
- sickness benefit (Ziektewet),
- incapacity benefit (WIA / WGA),
β¦then UWV is just another βemployerβ for the tax office. It issues its own UWV jaaropgave 2026 β and that has to be included in your tax return too.
π You’ll find it in Mijn UWV (log in with DigiD), or it will arrive by post.
No permanent registration in the Netherlands? Your income from other countries matters π
This is often the point that decides how much money comes back to you.
If you weren’t permanently registered in the Netherlands (e.g. you lived in your home country and came to the Netherlands to work), you usually file as a non-resident taxpayer.
In that case the tax office also looks at whether you earned money outside the Netherlands. If at least 90% of your income comes from the Netherlands, you can get the same tax credits as Dutch residents. That often means a noticeably bigger refund πΈ
That’s why an income statement is worth getting
If in 2026 you had no income outside the Netherlands (or very little), it’s best to have proof:
π Best option: the Belastingdienst form Inkomensverklaring EU/EER 2026 (Income Statement EU/EEA), confirmed and stamped by the tax office in your country of residence
π Or: an official income certificate for 2026 from the tax office in your country of residence
Since 2026 the Belastingdienst doesn’t always require this document upfront β but it can ask for it, and then your payout is put on hold. Better to have it ready and avoid the stress π
π Your home tax office usually issues the 2026 certificate only after you’ve filed your 2026 tax return there. Not sure what exactly to request? We’ll tell you.
Update your address at the Belastingdienst β seriously, it matters π¬
The Belastingdienst sends all letters to the address it has on file: assessments (aanslag), requests for documents, payment demands, toeslagen information.
If they still have your old address β e.g. agency housing you’ve already moved out of β the letters get lost. And the deadlines keep running β³
How to update your address?
- You live in the Netherlands and are registered (BRP) β report your move to the municipality (gemeente) and the Belastingdienst gets your new address automatically.
- You live outside the Netherlands β change your address via MyRNI (with DigiD), at an RNI desk, or with the βAdreswijziging doorgeven Buitenlandβ form sent to the Belastingdienst.
- Want letters sent somewhere else? You can register a postal address (postadres).
π‘ An address change usually takes up to about 10 working days β so do it before you file, not after.
Other important things for your 2026 tax return β
- BSN β your Dutch tax number. It’s on your jaaropgave, payslips and contract.
- DigiD β check that it still works. You need it for Mijn UWV, MyRNI and Mijn Belastingdienst.
- Dates of stay and registration β when you arrived and when you deregistered (if you were registered at all).
- Partner and children β if you have a spouse or partner, their income can also affect the size of your refund.
- Health insurance and zorgtoeslag β if you received healthcare allowance in 2026, it will be settled afterwards based on your actual income. Better to know early whether you’ll get money back or have to repay.
- Letters from the Belastingdienst β keep them all (e.g. voorlopige aanslag). They often contain important deadlines.
- Previous years β you can reclaim tax up to 5 years back. It’s not too late for 2021β2025 either π
Document checklist for your 2026 tax return π
π Jaaropgave 2026 from all employers and agencies
π UWV jaaropgave 2026 (if you received benefits)
π ID card or passport (scan or phone photo)
π BSN number
π IBAN bank account for the refund
π Income statement / Inkomensverklaring EU/EER (if you weren’t permanently registered in NL)
π Current home address (and a checked address at the Belastingdienst)
β Missing something? Don’t worry β in many cases we can help you recover your documents. That’s our job π°
When can you file your 2026 tax return? π
The Belastingdienst officially accepts 2026 tax returns from 1 March 2027. For many people the standard deadline is 1 May 2027, although non-residents often have more time in practice.
But with ExpressTax you don’t have to wait until March π
π From January 2027 you can file with us online and find out how much money you’re entitled to. All you need is your jaaropgave 2026.
π The standard way
- wait until March
- file your tax return
- wait for the decision
- months go byβ¦
β‘ With ExpressTax
- file online from January
- know your refund amount right away
- money in as little as 7 days πΈ
Check how much you’ll get back for 2026 β
FAQ: Dutch tax return for 2026 β
Can I file my 2026 tax return as early as January 2027?
Yes. If you already have your jaaropgave 2026, you can apply online with ExpressTax in January and see your refund amount straight away.
What if my employer doesn’t send me a jaaropgave?
First ask the agency office or check its portal. If that doesn’t help β contact us. We can often recover the data.
Do UWV benefits have to be included in the tax return?
Yes. UWV benefits (e.g. WW or Ziektewet) are income on which tax was withheld. You need the UWV jaaropgave.
Why do I need an income certificate from my home country?
If you weren’t permanently registered in the Netherlands, the certificate shows that (almost) all your income came from the Netherlands. That way you can get the same tax credits as a resident β which often means a bigger refund.