ℹ️ Note: Filing the OWR is voluntary and must be done separately for each tax year. It is only worth filing if your actual return is lower than the deemed return.
| **For Employers and HR Professionals** The OWR can be complex for employees with Dutch and international assets. HR awareness helps you advise or direct employees to professional guidance, ensuring accurate reporting and potential tax benefits. |
Who can file?
Eligibility differs per tax year:
| Tax year | Eligibility criteria |
| 2017-2020 | Final assessment dated on or after 12 November 2021, or final assessment before 12 November 2021 with an objection filed (e.g., via the mass objection procedure). A request for reduction ex officio (verzoek ambtshalve vermindering) must also have been submitted on time. |
| 2021-2024 | Filed a tax return, or received a final assessment. |
When does the filing make sense?
The OWR is worth considering if your actual returns were lower than the deemed returns. Examples include:
- Stock markets performed poorly (e.g., 2022),
- You rented out a property, where the property value decreased.
How are actual returns calculated?
The OWR distinguishes between several asset categories. For example:
- Bank accounts and debts: the interest received and paid during the year.
- Investments: dividends received plus (end-of-year value − start-of-year value) − purchases + sales.
- Rented out property: net rent received (excluding service charges) plus (end-of-year WOZ value − start-of-year WOZ value).
Example – Investments:
- On 1 January 2024, your investments were worth € 250,000
- On 31 December 2024, the investments were worth € 260,000
- During 2024, you bought shares for € 1,200
- You also sold shares for € 3,000
- In addition, you received € 500 in dividends
Actual return: € 12,300(calculated as€ 500 + € 260,000 – € 250,000 – € 1,200 + € 3,000).
For comparison: the deemed return is € 15,100. Reporting the actual return of € 12,300 would result in a tax refund of around € 1,000.
What information do you need?
To file the OWR, gather:
- Annual bank statements,
- Investment account overviews,
- Records of purchases and sales,
- Rental income and property values,
- Details of other assets (if applicable).
ℹ️ Resources: The Dutch Tax Administration provides a helpful information guide listing what is required. Most Dutch banks can supply annual Box 3 summaries.
How to file?
You can file via mijn.belastingdienst.nl with your DigiD. Tax advisors can also submit it using their professional software.
Filing deadlines
- 12 weeks after receiving the letter with the deemed return if you file yourself,
- 26 weeks if you use a tax advisor.
⚠️ No filing extensions are allowed.
If you don’t file, the Dutch tax authorities will issue a final assessment based on the deemed return.
You can also file an OWR proactively (without waiting for the letter), but make sure to do so on time, as final assessments will start being imposed by mid-2026.
Thresholds
If a final assessment has already been issued, no threshold applies.
If no assessment or a preliminary assessment exists, a minimum refund threshold applies, which varies by year.
How can I help?
Filling the OWR can be complex and time-consuming, especially if you hold foreign bank accounts, investments or real estate. I can help you calculate your actual return, assess whether filing is worthwhile, and handle the paperwork.
My fee structure:
- Fixed fee: € 200 per tax year (excluding 21% VAT, if applicable). This covers a full review of your tax return and the OWR calculation.
- Success fee: In addition to the fixed fee, 5% of any tax savings achieved (plus 21% VAT, if applicable).
| Email me today to find out whether filing the Opgaaf Werkelijk Rendement could reduce your Dutch Box 3 tax. |
FAQ – Opgaaf Werkelijk Rendement (OWR)
1. What is the OWR in Box 3?
The OWR lets Dutch taxpayers report their actual return on savings, investments, and property instead of the standard deemed return, potentially reducing Box 3 tax.
2. Do I have to file the OWR?
No. Filing is voluntary. Only submit it if your actual return is lower than the deemed return.
3. Can I file the OWR if I already have a final assessment?
Yes, but eligibility depends on the tax year:
- 2017–2020: Only if the assessment was issued on or after 12 November 2021, if for an earlier assessment a timely objection and request for reduction were submitted.
- 2021–2024: All taxpayers can file.
4. What happens if I miss the OWR filing deadline?
If you miss the deadline, the tax authorities will use the deemed return for your Box 3 tax, and you cannot later adjust it. Filing on time is essential.
5. Is filing the OWR worth it for small savings accounts?
Often not. Filing is generally more beneficial for investments and rental properties.
6. Can I use the OWR for 2025 onwards?
No. The OWR only applies to tax years until 2024. From 2025 until the new Box 3 legislation takes effect (expected 1 January 2028), taxpayers can report both actual and deemed returns in their tax return. The lower of the two will be taxed.
