Do I Have to File Taxes?
Not everyone is required to file taxes. Here are the income tax filing requirements for tax year 2021.
Not everyone is required to file their taxes. Whether you need to file your taxes depends on four factors: your income, filing status, age, and whether you fall under a special circumstance.
Even if you aren’t required to file taxes, you may want to file for tax credits and other benefits.
Income
The IRS sets new tax filing thresholds each year. If your 2021 gross income was greater than the amounts listed below, then you are required to file taxes.
Gross income is any income you pay taxes on. Your age is determined by how old you were on December 31, 2021.
Filing Status | Gross Income (Taxpayers under 65) | Gross Income (Taxpayers over 65) |
Single | $12,550 | $14,250 |
Head of Household | $18,800 | $20,500 |
Married Filing Jointly | $25,100 (both spouses) | $26,450 (one spouse) |
$27,800 (both spouses) | ||
Married Filing Separately | $5 | $5 |
Qualifying Widow with Dependent Child | $25,100 | $26,450 |
If you can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return, your tax filing requirements are different. If that is the case, read up on 2021 filing requirements for dependents.
Other circumstances that require you to file
If you are self-employed, you are required to file taxes if you earned more than $400 in self-employment income.
If you pay special taxes, then you must file even if you don’t meet the filing threshold. Special taxes include additional taxes on qualified retirement plans or when you must pay taxes on tips you did not report to your employer.
In addition, you must file taxes if you or anyone in your household enrolled in health coverage through the Healthcare.gov Marketplace and you received premium tax credits in 2021.
If you have special tax considerations, you may want to use the IRS’ interactive tool to determine whether you need to file.
You may want to file even if you’re not required to
If you’ll receive a tax refund, you should file a tax return even if you’re not required to.
If you’re not required to file taxes but you withheld taxes throughout the year, you can get that money back when you file your tax return.
You may also be eligible for refundable tax credits that will give you a tax refund even if you don’t owe taxes. These credits include the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit, and the American Opportunity Tax Credit.
If you didn’t receive your first, second, or third stimulus checks or didn’t get the full amount that you’re eligible for, you can claim the stimulus checks when you file a tax return.
If you’re not sure if you withheld taxes or qualify for tax credits, you may want to file a tax return anyway to avoid missing out. You have up to three years to file previous years’ taxes and/or claim past tax credits.
Recommended for you
The latest
Annual income tax returns in the Netherlands
Annual income tax is just one of the taxes that locals know to expect from the Belastingdienst. In the Netherlands, the fiscal year runs from 1 January to 31 December. The time frame for submitting income tax returns is from 1 March until 30 April. It is possible to request a further extension, but this must occur before the deadline. You can request an extension by contacting the Belastingdienst directly or by having your accountant make the request.
How the Dutch tax system works
If you have not received a form from the Belastingdienst, this does not indicate that you are free of tax obligations. If you have been employed in the Netherlands, payroll tax is withheld from your salary each month. The income tax calculation is as follows:
- Salary – €100,000
- Income tax due on salary – €42,000
- Less: payroll tax on salary – €42,000
- Balance – €0
In the above situation, if you were employed for a complete year, you would not have to pay additional income tax. You would not receive a tax form from the authorities and would not be obliged to submit a return. However, you may have incurred tax deductible expenses during the year or could be entitled to a tax refund, and should therefore request a form.
It is important to note that if you received income which hasn't been taxed, you are legally obliged to request a form and file a tax return.
Types of tax forms
Tax authorities issue various forms depending on an individual's situation. The most common forms are:
P form: for those who are in a regular employment situation and have resided in the Netherlands for the entire fiscal year.
E form: a simplified P form which only mentions the basics.
M form: for those who resided in the Netherlands for part of the year.
C form: for those who are not residing in the Netherlands, but earn Dutch income.
W form: for the self-employed.
F form: for relatives of a deceased person.
Filing your taxes
You can file your taxes digitally via the Belastingdienst website. However, the program is only available in Dutch and you will first need to apply for a DigiD. The other option is to enlist the help of a tax accountant or adviser. Many English-speaking advisers who specialise in expat and international tax issues have offices in Amsterdam. Please keep in mind that if you do not already have a DigiD account, it can take a few weeks to arrange this, so don't leave it until the last minute.
If you arrived in or left the Netherlands in the course of the year, filing a tax return may be particularly advantageous.
Dutch wage and income tax is calculated on the basis of four progressive tax brackets. The tax withheld each month from your salary is calculated on the basis of your annual salary. If you worked for half a year in the Netherlands, you may be entitled to a substantial tax refund. It is well worth your while to file a tax return, even if you have not received a form from the authorities.
Please note: the Belastingdienst focuses primarily on digital communication. Activate your online account at MijnOverheid.nl in order to access your messages. To use this service you must first have a DigiD.
After submission
After submitting a tax return, you will receive a preliminary assessment from the tax authorities. The preliminary assessment takes between 6 to 12 weeks after the return has been submitted. In the case of an M form, it can take up to 24 weeks before the assessment is made. The preliminary assessment is simply an estimation. Once tax authorities have checked the return, you will receive a final assessment along with payment or refund details.
Tax Information number:
From within the Netherlands – (055) 538 53 85
From abroad – +31 (0)555 385 385
Opening times: Monday to Thursday: 08:00-20:00 hours. Friday: 08:00-17:00 hours
Or visit the English website of the Belastingdienst
This article was written in part with information from Broadstreet.