Box 3: review your actual return for 2025

What can you report?

In your Dutch income tax return for 2025, you can report your actual investment return alongside your assets. This is optional. The tax authority then compares its calculation using fixed percentages with one based on your actual return and uses the more favourable outcome. For 2024 and earlier years, a separate process uses the Opgaaf werkelijk rendement form.

Look beyond interest received

Actual return includes income received and changes in value. An increase in the value of shares you have not sold can also count. The comparison covers your entire box 3 portfolio: you cannot select only an investment that made a loss. This calculation has no tax-free asset allowance, and a loss cannot be carried to another year.

A simple example

Suppose you receive € 2,000 in savings interest and € 500 in dividends. Your shares fall in value by € 1,200 during the same year. You make no purchases or sales and have no other box 3 assets or debts. Your actual return is € 1,300. This is the return, not the tax payable. Compare it with the deemed return in your tax return.

Have you already filed?

Start by checking which assessment you received and which deadline applies. Amending a tax return, lodging an objection and requesting a reduction are different procedures. An objection to a final assessment generally has a six-week deadline. Do not assume that a general ability to amend your return later replaces every deadline or condition.

Have these records ready

• Your filed tax return and any final assessment, including its date.
• Annual statements for bank accounts, investments and other assets.
• Interest, dividends and any rental income received.
• Opening and closing values, purchases, sales and deposits during the year.
• Debt details and any allocation between you and your fiscal partner.

Turn separate statements into an informed decision

Valorem can help assess whether a comparison is worthwhile and identify missing records. Tell us the tax year and whether a final assessment has been issued. We can then determine the appropriate procedure and calculation. Property, foreign assets and changes in your partnership situation may require separate consideration.