This amount of savings is tax-exempt in 2026, and these matters are taken into account.
As tax season approaches, Dutch residents must prepare to declare their assets for 2026. The Belastingdienst (Dutch Tax and Customs Administration) has raised the tax-free threshold, allowing more savings and assets to remain untaxed if they stay below the set limit.
From January 1, 2026, the tax-free allowance is €59,357 per person. Tax partners may jointly hold €118,714 without paying box 3 (asset tax). This is slightly higher than in 2025, when the exemption was €57,000 per person. The Dutch system works with three boxes: box 1 (income from work and home ownership), box 2 (income from substantial shareholdings), and box 3 (assets such as savings and investments).
The Belastingdienst always looks at assets on one fixed date, known as the peildatum (reference date). For the 2026 tax return, this is January 1, 2026. Money added or spent later in the year does not change the amount that must be declared. In addition to the general exemption, there is a special vrijstelling for groen beleggen (green investments). In 2026, this extra exemption is €26,715 per person, or €53,430 for tax partners.
Assets in box 3 include more than just savings. The Belastingdienst counts money in current and savings accounts, investments like shares and bonds, cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, cash, loaned money, and second homes or holiday homes. The eigen woning (main residence) falls under box 1 and is not part of box 3. Debts such as personal loans or family debts may be deducted, but only the part above the debt threshold.
If your assets exceed the tax-free limit, the Belastingdienst applies a fictief rendement (assumed return). For 2026, savings are taxed as if they earn 1.28 percent, while investments and other assets are assumed to earn 6.00 percent. On this calculated return, a tax rate of 36 percent applies. This means you may pay tax even if your real return was lower.
For example, someone without a tax partner who has €50,000 in savings and €50,000 in investments owns €100,000 in total assets. After deducting the €59,357 exemption, €40,643 remains taxable. Half is treated as savings and half as investments. The assumed return is €260 on savings and €1,219 on investments, making a total fictitious return of €1,479. At 36 percent tax, this results in €532 owed in box 3 tax.