NewsCase StudiesEvents

Tax Refund if Your Tax Burden Fluctuated Over a Period of Three Years

Also in the news...

Foreign travel advice Georgia

Warnings and insurance Still current at: 16 May 2024 Updated: 16 May 2024 Latest update: Information on the political situation across Georgia ('Safety and security' page).

How to market and package ecommerce products for maximum impact

To market and package your ecommerce products for maximum impact, start by understanding your target audience's demographics, passions, and daily struggles. Tailor your product descriptions and packaging to resonate with their identity, making them feel like part of a community.

Foreign travel advice Norway

Warnings and insurance Still current at: 13 May 2024 Updated: 13 May 2024 Latest update: This travel advice was reviewed for style and accuracy.

Guidance Living in Austria

Information for British citizens moving to or living in Austria, including guidance on residency, healthcare and driving.

Foreign travel advice Sweden

Warnings and insurance Still current at: 13 May 2024 Updated: 13 May 2024 Latest update: Removal of information about Eurovision Song Contest ('Warnings and insurance' and 'Safety and security' pages).

Tax Refund if Your Tax Burden Fluctuated Over a Period of Three Years

Back to News

You could be eligible for a tax refund if your tax burden fluctuated strongly over a consecutive period of three years.

Did you have a highly variable income spread over three consecutive years? Then you probably pay more tax than if you receive that income evenly over a year. You can then qualify for the so called averaging scheme (“middling”).

With averaging you calculate your average income over 3 consecutive calendar years. This is the averaging period. You then calculate how much tax you have to pay per year. Are the new tax amounts lower than those of the previous attacks? Then you may be entitled to are fund.

For whom is averaging meant? Here are a number of example situations:

You got a permanent job after your graduation and you had a part-time job besides your studies.
You received a severance payment (‘golden handshake’) and then a WW benefit.
You have started or stopped working in recent years.
You work as a freelancer or as an entrepreneur.
You have taken unpaid leave (for example for a sabbatical).
You started working part-time.

Are you a foreign taxpayer in one or more of the relevant three years. Then the following applies to the averaging arrangement.

From tax year 2015
You may use the averaging arrangement if you are a qualifying non-resident taxpayer (no longer a choice).

Tax years 2014 and earlier
You may use the averaging arrangement if you have opted for the resident taxpayer as a foreign taxpayer. Or if you earn 90% or more of your total income (worldwide income) in the Netherlands.

We can take care of the entire procedure for averaging. In addition, we can assist you in drawing up your income tax returns.


You are not logged in!

Please login or register to ask our experts a question.

Login now or register.